What Is a Patent Dispute?
The patent system is a critical component of the free trade market; it encourages the invention of original products. With a patent, an innovator can enjoy the fruits of his labor, but sometimes, others try to steal and sell patented inventions, resulting in a patent dispute.
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Intellectual Property
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Intellectual property is the ownership of an idea, which is more difficult to protect because it is immaterial. There are three ways to protect your ownership of an original idea: a trademark, a copyright and a patent.
Patents
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A patent allows you to profit from an original invention. You may also license others to profit from your idea, usually by charging royalties. United States patents are valid for 20 years.
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Patent Infringement
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If you hold a patent on an original product and someone who does not hold a license for your invention sells your product as his own, you are entitled to file a complaint against him because he has committed the crime of patent infringement.
Patent Disputes
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A patent dispute is filed by the patent holder if he believes his patent has been violated. Documents filed with the court system, usually with legal assistance, officially open a case against the alleged violator.
Patent Infringement Penalties
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Normally, the court will award monetary compensation to the patent owner if it rules that his patent rights were violated. Also, the court will usually issue an injunction, stating that the violator must stop selling patented material as his own.
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