What is a Patent

 ♦What is a Patent ?

A patent is an intellectual property right which is examined and granted by the competent authority (e.g., Patent Office) to an inventor, a utility model creator, or a designer “to exclude others from exploiting the creation without the patentee’s consent” for a limited time period in exchange for public disclosure of the creation when the patent is granted.

♦Types of patents in R.O.C:

1) Invention patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof;

2) Utility model a creation of technical ideas relating to the shape or structure of an article or combination of articles which occupies certain space, utilizing the laws of nature. Manufacturing method, processing method, using method, chemical substance or compound without concrete shape or structure does not meet the definition of utility model.

3) Design patents means the creation made in respect of the shape, pattern, color, or any combination thereof, of an article as a whole or in part by visual appeal. A design patent application may also be filed for computer generated icons (Icons) and graphic user interface (GUI) applied to an article.