Patents

=What is a patent?=

A patent is a right, granted by government, to exclude others from making, using, or selling your invention in Canada.

Before you start working on an invention, you may save yourself time by first searching the Canadian Patent Datbase: []

In Canada, the current life of a patent is 20 years from the date you file an application. To protect yourself and your invention, you must file a patent application or you will only be able to protect your invention as a trade secret. A trade secret is defined, by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, as information about a product or process kept secret from competitors. This will not provide you enough protection once your invention is made public.

The **Canadian Intellectual Property Office** is a website that can assist you in learning more about patents.

Before you apply, consult the [|//Guide to Patents//] for insight into the process. The [|patent application tutorial] is another helpful reference tool. Once you're ready, apply for your patent:
 * [|Regular Filing]
 * [|National Entry of a PCT]
 * [|International] (PCT)

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