Monty Hyams (1918-2013): Patent Information Pioneer home intro derwent personal downloads links

About Patents (rhymes with 'pat' not 'pate')


If you have a product or a process that offers a new way of doing something,   you may apply for a patent for it.


You give a full description of your method, which is examined by experts at the Patent Office.


If they agree that your work is novel, you are granted a patent.


Then no-one else can use that method without your permission, for which you may charge a fee.
A historic patent
 Patent protection typically lasts 20 years.


Thousands of patents are applied for each week.

Even back in 1950 it was many hundreds.

  But which were the interesting patents and how to find out?
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