How does the law protect patents?

The law protects patents by granting inventors exclusive rights for a specified period, typically 20 years from the filing date for utility patents. This exclusivity allows patent holders to prevent others from making, using, selling, or distributing their inventions without permission. By providing these exclusive rights, the legal framework encourages innovation and investment in new technologies, as inventors can recoup their research and development costs through monopolistic control over their inventions for the defined duration.

This exclusivity is essential for fostering an environment where inventors are motivated to share their ideas with the public, knowing they will have the legal ability to benefit commercially from their innovations without immediate competition. This protection ultimately benefits society by promoting technological advancements and ensuring that new inventions can be developed and brought to market effectively.