Is my invention patentable?
To be patentable, your invention must meet the following conditions:
Your invention must not fall into an excluded category. These include works of art, scientific theories, surgical procedures, mathematical methods, and the presentation of information.
- It must be new, that is the invention must never have been made public IN ANY WAY before you apply to the Patent Office. This means that your invention must not have been published by someone else (or by you) before the date of your patent application. It also means that if you want a patent, you MUST NOT tell anyone about your invention, except with a clear obligation of confidentiality, until your application is filed with the Patent Office.
- It must involve an inventive step, and not be obvious, or predictable, to someone with a good knowledge of the subject.
- It must be capable of being made or used in industry. Most inventions satisfy this requirement. An invention is typically a product or manufacturing process, and it must have some practical, commercial purpose.
Your invention must not fall into an excluded category. These include works of art, scientific theories, surgical procedures, mathematical methods, and the presentation of information.
