PDF FILE - CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE WORKSHEET

A patent protects a person or company that invents something new. For instance, if you were to invent a new type of pen you should patent your design. This should prevent anyone or another company from stealing your idea, manufacturing it and making money for themselves. A patent protects your design for the first five years and them you must apply annually for the next fifteen years (twenty years in total).

You can apply for a patent for many types of inventions, for example;
A scientific discovery
A literary piece of work (such as a musical)
Computer programs,
A new medical treatment,

When applying for a patent it should be understood that the patent only applies to individual countries such as the UK or US. Separate patent applications should be made to the patent awarding body of each country. In the UK the ‘Intellectual Property Office’ awards patents after they have been investigated by the Patent Office and a suitable fee paid.

EXAMPLE ONE: This inventor has filed a patent on his new flying cloak. This means the only company that can make the cloak is one he has a financial agreement with. They manufacture the cloak and the inventor is paid a percentage of each cloak sold.

EXAMPLE TWO: This medical treatment has been developed by an international research company. It is designed to cure headaches developed at work. It works on the principle that anyone with a headache seeing this treatment will quickly recover before treatment commences and go back to work promptly.

Patent Infringement is the legal term used when someone or a company breaks the law by using the invention / discovery belonging to someone else, without permission.

Use the internet to research the term ‘Patent Applied For’. In the space below explain what it means.

Use the internet to research the term ‘Patent Infringement’. In the space below write about a real life case of Patent Infringement.