What is the test for patentability?
To be patentable, an invention must satisfy each of the following conditions: • It must be novel (i.e. not made or used anywhere in the world before the filing of the patent application); • It must involve an inventive step (i.e. it cannot be an obvious step); • It must be capable of industrial application( all industries apply); and • It cannot fall within an excluded category i.e. a discovery, a literary work or mathematical model. 5. What is the priority date? On the filing of a patent application, the owner of the invention has 12 months from the filing or priority date in which to file foreign patent applications. 6. How long does a patent last for? It is good practice to decide, as early as possible, on an international patent filing strategy. An investor should be made aware of the significant costs involved in obtaining international patents. Is should be noted that the inventor may not necessarily be the owner of the invention as an employer will own any invention made during
