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.
Searle Center on Law, Regulation, and Economic Growth event
June 20, 2019, Chicago, IL
Select an Issue
TAP Academics
View all academics with expertise in Patents
TAP Blog
In honor of World IP Day, TAP highlights a few of the articles and scholars that examine intellectual property technology-policy issues.
April 26, 2018
View all blog posts about Patents
Fact Sheets
A patent provides an exclusive legal right to an invention for a limited period of time, in exchange for public disclosure of that innovation. As with other property rights, patents may be sold, transferred, or licensed for a third party’s use.
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
This article suggests binding arbitration as a way to resolve disputes arising within standard-setting organizations.
November 4, 2013
View all articles on Patents