| 释义 |
patent Intellectual property protection for inventors of products that are deemed novel, useful, and not obvious to one reasonably skilled in that particular art. A United States patent prevents others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling an invention throughout the United States or from importing the invention into the United States. In order to receive United States patent protection, which extends for 20 years from application, the invention must be submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office for examination. United States patent law protects not only physical devices, but also software, mathematical algorithms, business processes, and other inventions that involve the use of a computer. Note: The first patent issued in the United States was U.S. Patent No. 1X, Method of producing pot ash and pearl ash, issued to Samuel Hopkins on July 31, 1790, and signed by G.Washington. See also intellectual property. |