Introduction to patents


Published by a ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô IP expert
Practice notes

Introduction to patents


Published by a ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô IP expert

Practice notes
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This Practice Note provides an introduction to various aspects of patent law including applying for and maintaining patents, patent assignment and licensing, and patent infringement.

For more information about applying for and maintaining patents and transactions involving patents, see: Patent transactions and management—overview.

For more information about Disputes involving patents, see: Patent disputes—overview.

What is a patent?

A patent is a form of property which protects certain types of technical inventions. The invention can be a product or a process for doing something. Patents do not cover information or what things look like, which might instead be protected by trade marks, copyright or design rights.

To obtain a patent, technical information about the invention must be disclosed to the public in a patent application. Patent applications are filed at the Intellectual property Office (IPO) or Patent Office in a particular country. The IPO or patent office examines the patent application before deciding whether to grant the patent.

A patent document (whether a patent application or a granted patent) consists of:

  1. •

    bibliographic data—this forms the front cover of the patent and

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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts:
Key definition:
Disputes definition
What does Disputes mean?

There is a tPR code of practice on dispute management and regulation.

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