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class="form-search" name="searchm" id="searchm"> <input name="cx" type="hidden" value="016458537594905406506:hmturfwvzzq"> <input name="cof" type="hidden" value="FORID:11"> <label class="element-invisible" for="querym">Search</label> <input class="search-query" id="querym" name="q" placeholder="Search WIPO" type="text"> <button class="btn ss-search" title="Search"></button> </form></div> </nav><div class="container"> <div class="wrap-outer"> <div class="wrap-inner"> <ul class="nav-breadcrumb"><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/">Home</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">About IP</a></li> <li class="active"><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/">Patents</a></li> </ul> <div class="dropdown nav__on-this-page"><a class="dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown">On this page <strong class="caret"></strong></a> <ul class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu--on-this-page"> <li><a href="#basics">Patent basics</a></li> <li><a href="#topics">Topics and issues</a></li> <li><a href="#laws">Law and treaties</a></li> <li><a href="#scp">Standing Committee</a></li> <li><a href="#filing">Filing</a></li> <li><a href="#search">Search and analysis</a></li> <li><a href="#cooperation">Patents, technology and development</a></li> <li><a href="#technology">Technology transfer</a></li> <li><a href="#links">Related links</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="content"> <h1>Patents</h1> <div class="main"> <h2><a name="basics"></a>What is a patent?</h2> <p class="lead">A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem. To get a patent, technical information about the invention must be disclosed to the public in a patent application.</p> <div id="accordion-01" class="accordion"> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__heading"><a class="accordion__toggle collapsed" href="#accordion__collapse__01" data-parent="#accordion" data-toggle="collapse">What kind of protection does a patent offer?</a></div> <div id="accordion__collapse__01" class="accordion__body collapse"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>In principle, the patent owner has the exclusive right to prevent or stop others from commercially exploiting the patented invention. In other words, patent protection means that the invention cannot be commercially made, used, distributed, imported or sold by others without the patent owner's consent.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__heading"><a class="accordion__toggle collapsed" href="#accordion__collapse__02" data-parent="#accordion" data-toggle="collapse">Is a patent valid in every country?</a></div> <div id="accordion__collapse__02" class="accordion__body collapse"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>Patents are territorial rights. In general, the exclusive rights are only applicable in the country or region in which a patent has been filed and granted, in accordance with the law of that country or region.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__heading"><a class="accordion__toggle collapsed" href="#accordion__collapse__03" data-parent="#accordion" data-toggle="collapse">How long does a patent last?</a></div> <div id="accordion__collapse__03" class="accordion__body collapse"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>The protection is granted for a limited period, generally 20 years from the filing date of the application.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="box"> <p>Read the <a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/faq_patents.html">full list of patent FAQs</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div class="complementary"> <div class="box"> <figure><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/historical_patents.html"><img src="/web/20180815064725im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/patents/images/rocking_bathtub_850.jpg" alt=""/></a></figure> <h3 class="box__header">Weird and wonderful</h3> <p><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/historical_patents.html">Six "out of the ordinary" patents from the 19th and 20th centuries</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content cols cols--three line"> <h2 class="header"><a name="topics"></a>Patent topics and issues <a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/topics/"><button class="btn btn-info" type="button">All topics</button></a></h2> <p>Patents are not just abstract concepts; they play an invaluable, practical role in everyday life. By rewarding ideas, patents encourage the development of innovations and new technologies in every field. </p> <div class="col col--one"> <div class="media"> <figure><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2013/04/article_0007.html"><img style="width: 600px;" title="e_breakthroughbreastcancer_600" src="/web/20180815064725im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/e_breakthroughbreastcancer_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: breakthrough breast cancer)</figcaption> </figure> <div class="media-body"> <h3 class="media-heading"><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2013/04/article_0007.html">Biotech and genes<br/> </a></h3> <p>To what extent are biotechnology processes and products patentable? How do gene patents affect medical care and gene testing research and development? Opinions are divided.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col col--two"> <div class="media"> <figure><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/topics/computer_programs.html"><img title="iStock_000011998528Small" src="/web/20180815064725im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/iStock_000011998528Small.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStock.com/zokara)</figcaption> </figure> <div class="media-body"> <h3 class="media-heading"><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/topics/computer_programs.html">Computer programs</a></h3> <p>Software producers need protection against unauthorized copying in order to recoup their investments, but using patents for this raises questions.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col col--three"> <div class="media"> <figure><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/topics/nanotechnology.html"><img title="iStock_000021200790Small" src="/web/20180815064725im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/iStock_000021200790Small.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStock.com/adventtr)</figcaption> </figure> <div class="media-body"> <h3 class="media-heading"><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/topics/nanotechnology.html">Nanotechnology</a></h3> <p>While nanotechnology innovations appear generally suitable for patent protection, certain issues require further consideration.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content cols cols--three line"> <h2><a name="laws"></a>Patent law and treaties</h2> <p>The treaties WIPO administers, together with national and regional laws, make up the international legal framework for patents.  </p> <div class="col col--one"> <h3>Patent-related treaties</h3> <div id="accordion-02" class="accordion"> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__heading"><a class="accordion__toggle collapsed" href="#accordion__collapse__11" data-parent="#accordion" data-toggle="collapse">Paris Convention</a></div> <div id="accordion__collapse__11" class="accordion__body collapse"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>The first major international agreement relating to the protection of industrial property rights, including patents. It outlines, in particular, national treatment, the right of priority, and a number of common rules in the field of substantive patent law. <a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/paris/">Find out more about the Paris Convention</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__heading"><a class="accordion__toggle collapsed" href="#accordion__collapse__12" data-parent="#accordion" data-toggle="collapse">Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)</a></div> <div id="accordion__collapse__12" class="accordion__body collapse"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>This treaty established an international patent filing system, making it possible to seek patent protection for an invention simultaneously in each of a large number of countries. <a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/pct/">Find out more about the PCT</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__heading"><a class="accordion__toggle collapsed" href="#accordion__collapse__13" data-parent="#accordion" data-toggle="collapse">Strasbourg Agreement Concerning the International Patent Classification</a></div> <div id="accordion__collapse__13" class="accordion__body collapse"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>A regularly updated international system for classifying inventions in patent applications, allowing more efficient search and retrieval of patent information. <a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/classification/strasbourg/">Find out more about the Strasbourg Agreement</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__heading"><a class="accordion__toggle collapsed" href="#accordion__collapse__14" data-parent="#accordion" data-toggle="collapse">Patent Law Treaty (PLT)</a></div> <div id="accordion__collapse__14" class="accordion__body collapse"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>The PLT establishes common and, as a general rule, maximum requirements regarding many of the procedural formalities relating to national/regional patent applications and patents. <a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/plt/">Find out more about the PLT</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__heading"><a class="accordion__toggle collapsed" href="#accordion__collapse__15" data-parent="#accordion" data-toggle="collapse">Budapest Treaty </a></div> <div id="accordion__collapse__15" class="accordion__body collapse"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>The Budapest Treaty concerns the international disclosure of biotechnological inventions. It stipulates that, for the purpose of the patent procedure, the deposit of microorganisms with an "international depository authority" must be recognized by any contracting state. <a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/">Find out more about the Budapest Treaty</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col col--two"> <h3><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/">IP laws and treaties (WIPO Lex)</a></h3> <p>The WIPO Lex database is a comprehensive search tool that allows you to search international treaties and national laws on intellectual property.</p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180815064725/http://wipo.int/patent-law/en/guidelines.html">Guidelines and manuals for national/regional patent offices.</a></p> </div> <div class="col col--three"> <h3><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/ip-development/en/policy_legislative_assistance/">Legislative and policy advice</a></h3> <p>WIPO provides extensive legislative assistance to developing countries on request, including advice in exploiting the flexibilities under international treaties in implementing their obligations.</p> <p>Alternatives to Patent Search and Examination <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo_pub_guide_patentsearch.pdf" target="_self"><img src="/web/20180815064725im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/images/icon/new/pdf.gif" alt="PDF, Alternatives to Patent Search and Examination" border="0"/></a></p> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <h2><a name="scp"></a><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/scp/">Standing Committee (SCP)</a></h2> <div class="main"> <p>In the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP) WIPO works with its member states and observer organizations to develop balanced international frameworks for patent law and policy. Committee members discuss, debate and decide on diverse issues related to the development of patent law to meet society's evolving needs.</p> <h3>Meetings and documents</h3> <div id="wipo-topics" class="listings listings--archive" data-xml="/meetings/en/includes/topic.xml?group_id=61" data-number="1"></div> </div> <div class="complementary"> <figure><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patent-law/en/scp.htm"><img title="f_WIPO_72157629845331156_600" src="/web/20180815064725im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/f_wipo_72157629845331156_600.jpg" alt="SCP delegates engaged in discussion"/></a> <figcaption>More SCP photos on <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180815064725/http://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/tags/scp/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>. (Photo: WIPO)</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <div class="cols cols--two"> <h2><a name="filing"></a>Patent filing</h2> <div class="col col--one"> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/">PCT — The international patent system</a></h3> <p>The Patent and Cooperation Treaty (PCT) allows you to make a single international patent application that has the same effect as national applications filed in separate PCT states. In a nutshell, you benefit from <strong>one application</strong>, in <strong>one language</strong> paid for in <strong>one currency</strong>.</p> </div> <div class="col col--two"> <h3>DAS and CASE — Services for patent offices</h3> <p>The <a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/das/en/">WIPO Digital Access Service (DAS)</a> allows priority and other similar documents to be securely exchanged among participating intellectual property offices.</p> <p>The <a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/case/en/" target="_self">Centralized Access to Search and Examination (CASE) system</a> enables patent offices to securely share the search and examination documentation related to patent applications, facilitating a more effective and efficient international examination process.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <h2><a name="search"></a>Patent search and analysis</h2> <div class="cols cols--three"> <div class="col col--one"> <h3><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/">PATENTSCOPE</a></h3> <p>Using PATENTSCOPE you can search through more than 43 million patent documents, including international patent applications submitted under the <a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/">PCT</a>.</p> </div> <div class="col col--two"> <h3><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/en/">IPC — Streamlining searches</a></h3> <p>The International Patent Classification (IPC) is used to classify patents and utility models according to the different areas of technology to which they relate.</p> </div> <div class="col col--three"> <h3><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/programs/patent_landscapes/">Patent Landscapes — a technology snapshot</a></h3> <p>Patent Landscape Reports describe the patent situation for a specific technology in a given geographical area. Our reports break down and analyze key information from patent searches for easier visualization and comprehension.</p> </div> </div> <p><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/faq_patents.html#info">Find out more about searching and using the patent information contained in patent documents</a>.</p> </div> <div class="content cols cols--two line"> <h2>Patents, technology and development</h2> <p>One of the main functions of the patent system is to foster technological innovation by providing an incentive for research and development.  The patent system also works to diseminate technical information and promote technology transfer. </p> <p>Find out more about the various ways in which WIPO engages in <a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/technology/index.html">technology and knowledge transfer</a>.</p> <div class="col"> <figure><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/iap/en/"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180815064725im_/http://www.wipo.int/shared/pics/assistance-for-investors.jpg" alt=""/></a></figure> <h3><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/iap/en/">Inventor Assistance Program (IAP)</a></h3> <p>The Inventor Assistance Program matches developing country inventors and small businesses with limited financial means with patent attorneys, who provide pro bono legal assistance to secure patent protection.</p> </div> <div class="col"> <figure><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/tisc/en/"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180815064725im_/http://www.wipo.int/shared/pics/wipo_tisc_600_200.jpg" alt=""/></a><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/tisc/en/"></a> <figcaption class="credit">TISC discussion group. (Photo: Courtesy of OMPIC)</figcaption> </figure> <h3><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/tisc/en/">Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs)</a></h3> <p>Our Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) program gives innovators in developing countries access to high quality technology information and related services to help them create, protect, and manage intellectual property rights.</p> </div> </div> <p></p> <div class="content cols cols--three line"> <h2><a name="links"></a>Related links</h2> <div class="col col--one"> <h3>Information resources on patents</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/">Case studies</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic.jsp?group_id=11">Documents and meetings</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/freepublications/en/">Publications</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/">Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/directory/en/">Country information</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/library/en/">Library catalogue</a></li> </ul> </div>  <div class="col col--two"> <h3>Training</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/academy/en/">WIPO Academy</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic_type.jsp?group_id=242">Workshops and seminars</a></li> </ul> </div>  <div class="col col--three"> <h3>About other types of IP</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/">Trademarks</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/designs/en/">Industrial designs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180815064725/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/">Copyright</a></li> <li><a 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