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About Patents

General FAQs on Patents

• What is a Patent?
• What does a Patent do?
• What kind of protection does a patent offer?
• What rights does a patent owner have?
• Why are patents necessary?
• What role do patents play in everyday life?
• What kinds of inventions can be protected?
• Who grants patents?
• How can a patent be obtained worldwide?
• Where can I find patent information?
• How can I find patent laws of various countries?
• Can I obtain a patent on my software-related invention?
• Can I discuss details of my invention with a potential investor before filing a patent application?

  FAQs on Patents for SMEs

  Guide on patents for business

  Patents and SMEs

  Publications, studies and articles on patents

  WIPO Publications and Products on Patents and PCT

  Advice Related to Patents

• WIPO cannot help you to draft a patent application or obtain a patent (other than by accepting an international patent application under the PCT).
• For advice relating to how laws and procedures apply to specific situations you should consider contacting a patent attorney.
• The granting of patents is a matter of national (or sometimes regional) law.  WIPO maintains directories of contact details and websites  of national and regional patent offices, which may give further information on such matters.