What is a patent?

A patent is a property right granted by the United Stated to the first inventor of an invention that does not abandon, suppress, or conceal the invention.

What is the patent property right granted by the United States?

A patent gives the owner of the patent the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, selling, or importing into the United States the patented invention during the term of the patent. The right granted is the right to exclude others. The owner of the patent is not granted the right to make, use, offer for sale, sell or import the patented invention.

What is the term of a patent?

For a U.S. patent application filed after June 8, 1995, the term of the patent is twenty years from the filing date of the patent application provided that the required maintenance fees are paid to the United States Patent and Trademark Office during the term of the patent.

Does an U.S. Patent confer any rights in a foreign country?

No, the right conferred by the grant of an U.S. Patent extends only throughout the United States and its territories and possessions.

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