What is the utility requirement?

One of the requirements for obtaining a patent is that the invention must be useful - it must have some utility. While you cannot simply claim that the invention may lead to other innovations, this is not a difficult requirement to meet. For example, the invention need not work better than other methods/inventions designed to meet the same goal. Similarly, the invention does not have to have any actual commercial value.

You only need to show such utility if you are seeking a utility patent - something does not have to have utility (i.e., be useful) to be entitled to adesign patent or a plant patent.

Posted in: FAQ-PATENTS