Festive Season Patents
December 5, 2011
Inventions, Patents
Festive Season decorations and activities bring about interesting patents every year.
Patents for festive season inventions could include anything from Christmas trees, tree decorations, table decorations, wall decorations, outdoor decorations, decorative lights, games, gifts, cards and even cooking methods, recipes or utensils.
Here are a few examples of well known Festive Season inventions.
Christmas Pudding Recipe
Christmas Crackers
Christmas Tree Decorations
Christmas Lights
The Christmas Tree
Stem Cell Technique Patent
October 19, 2011
Inventions, Patents
Image source: eurostemcell.org
Embryonic Stem Cell Patents
The ECJ (European Court of Justice) has announced their decision to ban patents for inventions based on embryonic stem cells for all EU states. But does this mean that patents cannot be granted for any techniques based on stem cells?
Form more information << Stem Cell Patents >>
How to interpret European biotechnology regulations
No patents can be granted for inventions based on embryonic stem cells, even if the cell lines were established in the laboratory many years ago and the invention itself does not involve obtaining new embryonic stem cells.
Professor Oliver Brüstle of the Institute for Reconstructive Neurology at the University of Bonn believes that the fruits of years of research by European scientists will be wiped away. Brüstle remains optimistic and believes that stem cell technology will continue to progress on an international level.
Professor Austin Smith of the Wellcome Trust Centre for Stem Cell Research at the University of Cambridge stated that this decision leaves scientists in a ridiculous position. He said that scientists are funded to do research for the public good, yet prevented from taking their discoveries to the market place where they could be developed into new medicines. The benefits of this research will now be reaped in America and Asia.
Stem Cell Patents History
In 1999 Greenpeace challenged a patent granted to Professor Brüstle for a method of producing neural progenitor cells from embryonic stem cell lines.
Greenpeace’s argument:
Since human embryonic stem cell lines originate from fertilized eggs, the patent represented a forbidden use of human embryos and contravened ordre public.
Brüstle’s argument:
The patented method did not itself include the use of embryos or the acquisition of embryonic stem cells, but used already established embryonic stem cell lines, which can be obtained around the world and can be legally used for research in Germany.
The German Federal Patent Court ruled in favor of Greenpeace and declared the patent invalid.
For the full European Court of Justice (ECJ) Brüstle Judgement << Brüstle-judgement >>
How to Register a Patent
October 13, 2011
Intellectual Property Information, Inventions, Inventors, Patents
Always keep your inventions a secret – Do not market or sell the inventions until the patent application has been filed.
Obtaining a patent is a two-step process spaced 12 months apart.
Step 1
File a provisional patent application in South Africa.
(to obtain the earliest possible date from which to claim rights to your invention)
Once the provisional patent has been submitted, additional steps has to be taken within 12 months to complete the application.
Step 2
File a complete patent application within 12 months of filing the provisional patent application in South Africa, and/or in each country where you wish to obtain patent protection.
To register a patent for your invention there are a 3 basic requirements that an invention need to adhere to according to South African law:
All patent applications must be:
- New
This “absolute” novelty requirement implies that any disclosure anywhere in the world before the filing date of a patent application in South Africa, will destroy the novelty of your invention, thereby forfeiting your patent rights. - Inventive
There may be similar inventions that have been disclosed to the public in patent specifications or other literature. It needs to be determined whether your invention is considered obvious or not. - Useful
Inventions with no application in trade, industry or agriculture cannot be the subject of a patent in terms of South African patent law.
A few examples of invention categories:
- Machines
Machines can be mechanical devices or various devices together with a specific function that will lead to an outcome. - Manufactured items
This include any items not already included under machines, but which are tangible. - Components
The result of a mixture of compounds whether chemical or mechanical. - Processes
Specific steps or treatments which lead to an outcome that can be measured. - Improvements
Alterations to any of the above mentioned products.
Image source: www.freedigitalphotos.net
Patent Inventions
October 6, 2011
Inventions, Inventors, Patents
If your inventions are new, inventive and useful, then they might qualify for patent protection. To protect your rights as an inventor you need to file patent applications for your inventions in each country, where protection is sought.
Obtaining a patent is a two-step process spaced 12 months apart.
Step 1
File a provisional patent application in South Africa.
Step 2
File a complete patent application within 12 months of filing the provisional patent application in South Africa, and/or in each country where you wish to obtain patent protection.
Novelty Search
An optional fixed cost preliminary novelty search can be conducted to find similar or identical patents. The costs of conducting a fixed cost novelty search in respect of one patent. (inclusive of all fees, official expenses and VAT is limited to approximately R 2500.00)
PLEASE NOTE THAT PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. PRICES ARE ONLY AN INDICATION. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR A FORMAL QUOTATION.
Contact Details for Smit & Van Wyk
Tel:
+27 (0) 12 349 7800
Fax:
+27 (0) 86 619 0493
E-mail:
enquiries@svw.co.za
Physical Address / Courier
Block A Apex Corporate Park
Quintin Brand Street
Persequor Technopark
Meiring Naudé Avenue
Pretoria
0184
South Africa
Additional Articles & Information
Image source: www.freedigitalphotos.net
How to Apply for a Patent?
September 22, 2011
Inventions, Inventors, Patents
To protect your rights as the owner of an invention, you need to file a patent application for the invention in each country, where protection is sought.
Always remember to KEEP THE INVENTION SECRET and do not market or sell the invention until a patent application has been filed at the South African Patent Office.
Obtaining a patent is a two-step process spaced 12 months apart.
Click here for the Patent quick submission!
Contact Details for Smit & Van Wyk:
Tel:
+27 (0) 12 349 7800
Fax:
+27 (0) 86 619 0493
E-mail:
enquiries@svw.co.za
Physical Address / Courier
Block A Apex Corporate Park
Quintin Brand Street
Persequor Technopark
Meiring Naudé Avenue
Pretoria
0184
South Africa
Image source: www.freedigitalphotos.net
