Purdue University is well-known as one of the leading research institutions on a global basis. As a matter of fact, according to a report released by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO), it was ranked -through Purdue Research Foundation- as 12th in the world among universities granted U.S. utility patents in 2016, with 105 patents granted just for the aforementioned year; four more patents than the year before, and three positions ahead on the list.
In general terms, inventions are ordinarily produced through the hard work of an entire group of researchers, who must work harder every time in order to create innovative processes, machines, or compositions of matter. All of this effort can be protected through Intellectual Property Rights, and particularly, through Patent Law.
A Patent is an Intangible Asset, which means it is not physical in nature. The right conferred by the patent grant is, in the language of the United States Code, and of the grant itself, “the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale or selling the invention in the (country in which the patent is granted), or importing the invention into the (same country)”, and this protection is particularly relevant for inventors.
As you may see, the grant of a Patent is a complex process which requires both of technical and legal skills. Inventors and researchers, of course, are in charge of the technical part.
However, the grant process and the application procedure may be affected with actions that people are not even aware of. Also, a previous knowledge about basic legal issues might solve what can eventually be a big problem before it even starts, as you will eventually see.
Those are the main facts that inspire this project. Let’s start then!
