WHAT IS A PATENT
Under the laws of the United States, a person is ordinarily free to make, use or sell anything he or she desires. However, when a United States patent is issued, the
Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks acting on behalf of and under the seal of the
United States government grants the owner of the patent, the right to exclude others from making, using or selling the invention throughout the United States of
America. In short, others may not make, use or sell the patented invention without
the authorization of the patent owner. A patent then, is a limited monopoly granted
by the government for the term period of the patent. After the patent expires, anyone
may make, use or sell the invention.
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