Acumen Intellectual Property

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Patents

Patents relate to how things work, not their appearance. Inventions include devices, methods and systems, including computer software. A patent relates to how an idea is implemented in practice, not the idea itself. To be protected under a "Standard Patent" an invention needs to be both novel (new) and inventive or, in the case of an "Innovation Patent", novel and innovative.

Provisional Patent Applications

It is common for the first application for a patent to be a provisional patent application. The aim of a provisional is to establish a priority date for the invention which may be used in subsequent applications.

Standard Patents

Standard Patents may last for up to 20 years, subject to payment of renewal fees. A standard patent requires an invention to be novel and "inventive".

Innovation Patents

An Innovation Patent has a maximum duration of 8 years, subject to payment of renewal fees. A innovation patent requires an invention to be novel and "innovative". This requirement is lower than required for a standard patent.

Renewal Fees

Renewal fees are payable in respect of standard and innovation patents and applications.

No renewal fees are due on Provisional applications.

Foreign Patent Rights

There is no such thing as a world wide patent. If patent protection is required then separate patents must be obtained in relevant jurisdictions.

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