The History of Patents
When researchers make discoveries that are both unique and significant, they seek patent protection from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Established in 1802, the office today issues approximately 180,000 patents each year.
Other People Are Reading
-
Function
-
Patents are given to an inventor to protect an invention from infringement by others.
Significance
-
The U.S. Constitution empowered Congress to enact laws relating to patents in Article I, Section 8. It says, congress shall have the power "to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries."
-
History
-
The first Federal Patent Act was enacted in 1790 with the first patent being issued to Samuel Hopkins of Philadelphia for pot-ash, which is an ingredient in glass and soap.
Benefits
-
A patent secures the exclusive right to the inventors' discoveries for up to 20 years from the date of application.
Considerations
-
While the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awards patents, it has no jurisdiction in questions of infringement and enforcement of patents.
-
