A patent is a set of rights granted by a country or state to exclude others from making, using or selling your invention for specified period of time – usually 20 years from the date of filing of the initial application. This monopoly is the quid pro quo to the inventor for sharing a complete description of the invention with the public. The aim of the patent system is to benefit society and foster innovation by providing future inventors with the benefit of your knowledge. The origins of modern patent rights trace their history back to the 14th and 15th centuries in Italy and England, although as far back as 3rd century in ancient Greece, records show that exclusive rights were granted to creators of unique culinary dishes for fixed periods.
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