A patent is a right granted for any device, substance, method or process that is new, inventive and useful. A patent is legally enforceable and give the owner with the exclusive right to commercially exploit the invention for the life of the patent. Patents allow effective protection if you have invented a new technology that will lead to a product, composition or process with significant long-term commercial gain.

In return, patent applicants must share their know-how by providing a full description of how their invention works. This information becomes public and can provide the basis for further research by others.