	What is a patent?
	Before you apply
	The application process
	Maintaining your patent
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Patents

Before You Apply

Who can apply?

Only the person who owns an invention can be given a patent for it. The patent can be owned by:

the inventor(s);
the person who has legally obtained rights to the invention from the inventor(s) or an intermediary; or
an employer of someone who made the invention in the course of their normal duties.

Although a 'person' is mentioned above, a company or organisation may be recognised as a legal person (but not a firm or partnership. The partners in the firm or partnership can, however, obtain a patent jointly in their own names).