Law Relating to the Patent of Hardware

In the United States, a patent confers protection to the inventor of a product or technology so that others may not financially benefit from the invention without the inventor's permission. Federal patent law is covered under Title 35, Part II, of the U.S. Code.

Patentable Inventions

A patentable invention is defined as "any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof."

Applying for a Patent

An applicant for a patent must include a written description of the invention and its production, a drawing of the invention when necessary and a sworn oath that the inventor believes he is the first person to invent the object. This description must be clear enough for someone skilled in the field to reproduce the invention and must specify the subject matter under which his invention falls.

Receiving the Patent

If a patent is issued, the applicant must pay the balance of any outstanding application fees. The patent then takes effect for a period of 20 years from the date of the filing.

References

• Title 35, Part II Chapter 10, Section 101
• Titlle 35, Part II Chapter 11
• Title 35, Part II Chapter 14