A patent provides protection for an invention to the owner of the patent. The protection is granted for a limited period, generally 20 years. Patent protection means that the invention cannot be commercially made, used, distributed or sold without the patent owner's consent.
Select an Issue
TAP Blog
In “The Inequalities of Innovation,” Santa Clara University law professor Colleen Chien examines the relationship between inequality, innovation, and patents.
November 16, 2022
View all blog posts about Patents
Upcoming Events
23rd Annual Berkeley-Stanford Advanced Patent Law Institute
December 8, 2022, Stanford, CA
View all upcoming events about Patents
Fact Sheets
A patent is an exclusive legal right to own and market an invention or improvement for a limited period of time, in exchange for public disclosure of the invention.
View all fact sheets about Patents
Quote
"The best way to resolve this issue is not to change policy approaches." — Mark Lemley, Professor of Law, Stanford University
View all academics' quotes on Patents
Featured Article
Some antitrust policymakers are recognizing the importance of innovation competition, including nonprice competition and technological change. Antitrust policymakers must update their analysis to avoid errors.
May 27, 2022
View all articles on Patents