Protection by patents

The development or improvement of a product or method costs time and money. It is therefore important to protect the fruits of your labours. This can be done by establishing your idea in the form of a patent.

Patent services of Arnold & Siedsma

Arnold & Siedsma provides a wide range of patent-related products and services. The service provision includes, for example, everything that is required in order to obtain a patentmaintenance of a patentdefence of a patent, and taking legal action against an infringer on the basis of a patent. Conversely, Arnold & Siedsma can also safeguard your interests if you are confronted with someone else’s patent.

Our patent attorneys

Arnold & Siedsma has in-house specialist knowledge in virtually every technical field. With more than fifty patent attorneys, you will always find a contact with the correct specialism at Arnold & Siedsma.

Patent protection in all parts of the world

The service provision extends far beyond the boundaries of Europe. Via our extensive international network, Arnold & Siedsma can take action for any party in any country in the world. Our decades of experience and our excellent reputation make us your partner of choice to protect your interests at home and abroad.

What is a patent?

A patent is an exclusive right to an invention. It protects the inventor against infringement by third parties. Ideally, you can commercially exploit the patent.

A good idea may be glaringly simple and does not have to be complex per se. It may involve a machine, product, a production process or method, but it may also be a new application of an existing product.

Patents: important aspects to consider

To obtain a patent, your invention must meet a number of legal requirements. For example, an invention must not be publicly known anywhere in the world, not even through your own action, before the filing date. Important aspects to consider:

Confidentiality

An invention can no longer be protected with a patent if it has been made public before the patent application. You must keep your invention confidential until this time. This also applies to discussions with potential investors. Our specialists are automatically legally obliged to maintain confidentiality and can draw up a non-disclosure agreement for you, so that you are nevertheless able to talk to another party without jeopardizing the confidentiality.

Legal requirements

To obtain a patent, your invention must meet a number of legal requirements:

  • Novelty: The invention must not be publicly known anywhere in the world, not even through your own action, before the filing date.
  • Inventive step: The invention must not be obvious to a person skilled in the art.
  • Industrial applicability: The invention must offer a result in the industrial domain; it must be a product or production process with technical characteristics.
  • Specific country requirements: Some countries have different requirements for a patent.

Scope

An invention is protected by a patent only in the countries in which the patent is applied for and granted. In countries where no patent is applied for, the invention can be freely used. A worldwide patent does not exist. However, worldwide protection is available. By means of an international or PCT application (Patent Cooperation Treaty), this protection can be arranged for a large number of countries simultaneously.

Term of protection

A patent is granted for a specific time period; in the Netherlands, for a maximum of 20 years, depending on payment of the annual fees due to the authority.

Public domain

Protection ends when the patent expires; the invention enters the public domain and is available for commercial exploitation by third parties.