Patent Introduction
General Information
Patent
A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention of an article, substance, or new method that offers a new way or new technical solution which can be reproduced, reprocessed for industrial use. Without the patentee's prior consent, a third party is prohibited from manufacturing, selling, using or importing the patented products.
An invention is patentable if it meets the following requirements:
- Novel
- Non-obvious
- Subject to patentable matter
First-to-File Principle
China & Taiwan adopt first to file principle. Under the said principle, the first applicant to file a patent application is entitled to obtain the patent. Hence, a patent application is strongly advised to be filed to occupy an earliest filing date before it is disclosed.
As Taiwan adopts absolute novelty, disclosing the invention to the public anywhere in the world before filing a patent application in Taiwan would prevent the inventor from obtaining a patent in Taiwan.
