The Patent Act

May 11, 2008
Intellectual Property News and Interesting Facts

The Patent Act covers new inventions. For an invention to be considered new it must be shown to have novelty. A search has to be carried out in the Patents Office to establish that the invention is, in fact, new. The invention has to be useful in either trade, industry or agriculture.

If and when granted, a patent is applicable for a period of twenty years.

The patent is treated as any other property and may be sold, leased, licensed or disposed of in any way that the owner desires.