Patents protect technical inventions, such as new devices, products and processes.

To be patentable, an invention must be new and inventive (non-obvious) when a patent application is filed to protect it. Because of this, if you have a new invention for which you wish to secure patent protection, you must not tell anybody who is not under a duty of confidence about the invention until a patent application has been filed.

A granted patent can be enforced against a third party who exploits a patented invention, for example by making or selling it, without authorisation.

A UK patent provides protection in the United Kingdom only. If you want to secure patent protection outside the United Kingdom, it is necessary to file foreign patent applications within twelve months of filing an initial UK patent application, and we can arrange foreign patent protection for you.

For more detailed information about patents and patent procedure, please download our information sheets.