PATENTS

A patent is the exclusive right to exploit a (technical) invention. However, a registration is required to successfully claim any patent rights. In order to obtain a valid patent registration the invention to be patented needs to be 'new', meaning that it has not been made public before. Moreover the invention needs to have an inventive character, meaning that the invention would not be a logical or obvious for the average expert. Furthermore, the invention to be patented needs to be industrially applicable.

The abovementioned requirements will be examined at the time of application of the patent. After registration the patentee is able to prevent others from making use of his invention without its permission.