Workbook on Digital Private Papers > Legal Issues > Intellectual Property Rights
Patent
Patents offer inventors protection by providing a limited period where others cannot make, use or sell their invention without permission. To obtain a patent, the invention must satisfy a number of criteria. For instance, the invention must be new and it must be industrially applicable. The UK Patent Office can grant UK patents, which last for up to 20 years. Like other property rights, patents can be bought, sold or licensed to others. To obtain patent protection outside of the UK, the inventor will need to register patents in other countries. The European Patent Office (EPO) issues patents which are valid across the EU.
Disclaimer: the guidance given in the Paradigm workbook is not legal advice. Legal advice from a solicitor with expertise in the appropriate field should be sought before taking action in relation to specific matters.
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