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).
