Patent

A patent is a proprietary right granted by the Federal government to an inventor who files a patent application with the United States Patent Office.  The United States Constitution grants to the Congress the power to grant patents; this power residing in the Congress is found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 8.

For information specifically relating to computer implemented inventions and business methods please see Software Patents. For general information about patents, patent law and procedures to obtain a patent please see: