The function of patents is not to give the owner the right to use or practise the products or inventions they have been issued for.

A more accurate summation would be that patents rather exclude other people from exploiting the particular invention in the given territory.

This means that only the owner of the rights to the patents have the authority to make, use, sell or import the invention in question.

This right is subject to the payment of maintenance fees, and is comparable to a limited property right that the government offers then inventor in exchange for their agreement to share the details of the invention with the public.

In effect, this agreement boosts development and even economic growth.

Smit & Van Wyk Incorporated focuses specifically on intellectual property such as patents, and their experienced staff will be able to assist you with any query regarding this topic.