{"id":4996,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:50","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/is-your-invention-patentable.html"},"modified":"2024-05-22T21:58:38","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T02:58:38","slug":"is-your-invention-patentable","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/is-your-invention-patentable.html","title":{"rendered":"What Can Be Patented?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Can Be Patented?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Taylar-Simone McCants, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Amber Sheppard, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In the world of innovation, having intellectual property protection (IP protection) through the patent system is imperative for protecting intangible assets.<\/p>\r\n

This guide will explore the type of inventions eligible for patent protection and provide a checklist startup companies can use to help determine if your invention is patentable.<\/p>\r\n

Patentability Overview<\/h2>\r\n

Under federal patent law<\/a>, any person who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent.<\/p>\r\n

Let’s define some of the terms to help explain further:<\/p>\r\n