A patent is a limited monopoly granted in respect of an invention. It confers the right to the owner to exclude others from making, using or selling the invention.

The right is conferred to the inventor by a national or regional authority.

The right is limited in terms of territory and duration.

Patents can be granted for any inventions which are susceptible of industrial application, which are novel and which involve an inventive step.

Invention: an invention is the creation of a new device, composition of matter, method or use.

Industrial applicability: the invention must serve a worthwile practical use.

Novelty: the invention has not been disclosed as such in the prior art.

Inventive step: the invention would not have been obvious for a person skilled in th art at the time of making the invention.

Prior art is any public disclosure, not made under confidentiality, in oral or written or any other form.