{"id":16212,"date":"2020-09-11T14:51:30","date_gmt":"2020-09-11T09:21:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/?p=16212"},"modified":"2026-02-20T14:09:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T08:39:24","slug":"is-your-new-idea-patentable-lets-figure-it-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/is-your-new-idea-patentable-lets-figure-it-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Your New Idea Patentable? Let\u2019s Figure it out!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">The patentability of an idea is one of the controversial topics faced during the grant of patents. There is a slight difference between an idea and an invention because every invention is first an idea that later matures and then get idea patentable. It seems there is no substantial way to protect an idea under <a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/different-ip-rights-in-india\/\"><strong>intellectual property rights<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Copyright protects the literary and artistic works, but not any innovations, however, a <a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/patent-registration\"><strong>patent registration<\/strong><\/a> protects novel and unique inventions. Even though the idea patentable is the first step towards an invention and is of significant importance, there has been no monetary value attached to it, as per law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Page Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/is-your-new-idea-patentable-lets-figure-it-out\/#What_is_Patent_according_to_Law\" >What is Patent according to Law?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/is-your-new-idea-patentable-lets-figure-it-out\/#Types_of_Patent\" >Types of Patent<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/is-your-new-idea-patentable-lets-figure-it-out\/#Inventions_that_Cannot_Be_Patented_in_India\" >Inventions that Cannot Be Patented in India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/is-your-new-idea-patentable-lets-figure-it-out\/#Characteristics_of_Patentable_Inventions\" >Characteristics of Patentable Inventions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/is-your-new-idea-patentable-lets-figure-it-out\/#Can_an_idea_be_patented\" >Can an idea be patented?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/is-your-new-idea-patentable-lets-figure-it-out\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Patent_according_to_Law\"><\/span>What is Patent according to Law?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The patent is a kind of intellectual property that grants\ncertain legal rights to the owner of such IP against unauthorized selling,\nusing, making, or sharing any of his work or invention for a limited period of\ntime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A patent is a license granted to an inventor giving him\nexclusive rights over an invention, be it a process or product, for the certain\nperiod of time. Such the invention should be a new method of doing something or\nproviding a solution to an already existing problem. <strong><em>The patent is granted for the\nperiod of 20 years, and after that, an invention is made available in the\npublic domain.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Non- Disclosure Agreement for securing patent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Inventors prefer to have non-disclosure or confidential\nagreement in the initial stage of their invention development in order to\nprotect their idea. However, such an agreement does not bind any other person\nor organization except the one signing the agreement. So, not being a party to\nan agreement or the third party if discloses or uses the idea cannot be sued\nupon by an inventor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The idea patentable can be protected within the Patent laws, and the idea must not be ambiguous and vague.<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>However, a mere idea cannot be protected,<\/em><\/strong> but when the idea is concrete with enough specificity. One has the strategy to describe it, and it\u2019s functioning, making it an asset valuable enough to be protected, then that idea can be protected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_Patent\"><\/span>Types of Patent<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"244\" src=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image-48.png\" alt=\"Types of Patent\" class=\"wp-image-16218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image-48.png 520w, https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image-48-300x141.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Utility Patent<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is the most common patent, and it covers all new\ninventions and significant modification and improved process or product, having\nsome utility. A utility patent is referred to as &#8216;patent for an invention.&#8217; The\npatent protects the inventor&#8217;s rights over his invention by preventing any\nthird party from using, selling, or making the invention in question, without\nproper authorization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Design Patent<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An exclusive right providing legal protection to a useful\nproduct&#8217;s ornamental design is granted under the design patent. Design a\nprinter, shape of spoons, etc. are some examples that can be granted design\npatents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Plant Patent<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This plant patent is the patent granted on plants. New\nplants produced through asexual modes of reproduction like cutting, vegetative\npropagation, etc. are eligible for granted plant patents. However, in India,\nplant patents are not granted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Inventions_that_Cannot_Be_Patented_in_India\"><\/span>Inventions that Cannot Be Patented in India<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even after fulfilling all the patent requirements, some\ninventions cannot be granted as a patent in India for some specific reasons.\nUnder <strong>section 3 and section 4<\/strong> of the\nIndian Patent Act, 1970, it is specifically mentioned that certain types of\ninventions have been excluded from being granted as a patent, irrespective of\ntheir fulfilling the requirement of patent conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Some of such inventions are discussed below:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"579\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image-50.png\" alt=\"inventions\" class=\"wp-image-16228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image-50.png 579w, https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image-50-212x300.png 212w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 579px) 100vw, 579px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An Invention Contrary To Natural Law<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The invention that violates the public&#8217;s morality at large and disturbs public order cannot be patented. For example, an invention that eases gambling, theft, <strong>cyber-crimes<\/strong><sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cybercrime.gov.in\/\"><strong>[1]<\/strong><\/a><\/sup>, or any criminal offense cannot be patented. The same as an invention used for commercial exploitation is excluded from being granted as a patent. Any invention that causes or is likely to harm humans, animals, plants, or the environment is not patented. Only those micro-organisms with genetic modification can be patented, specifically, do not fall under <strong>Section 3 (b)<\/strong> only can be granted patent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mere discovery <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A mere discovery of a living creature or any non-living\nsubstance found in the natural environment or simply discovering a scientific\nprinciple must not be patented. The thing which has not been created or\ninvented, but it has already been existed in the environment from immemorial,\ntime. But the fact that such thing was found or recognised late, or use of such\nsubstance was earlier not known, does not provide a ground to call it an\ninvention and the same cannot be patented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discovery of the New Property of a known substance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A patent is granted on a new invention and not on an already\nexisting creation. A mere finding of a new feature of an already existing\ncreation does not amount to it qualifying for a patent. This is because the\ncreation already existed, of which a new feature was discovered. Hence, nothing\nnew has been said to be created or invented. Similarly, various forms of a\nknown substance cannot be granted as a patent. However, it is merely a\ndiscovery result in information on new products or includes at least one new\nreactant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Arrangement or Re-Arrangement of a Known Substance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If two substances or devices or techniques are known and\nwork independently as separate units when arranged or rearranged for the\nfunctioning, such an arrangement must not be patented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, a torch, in a case attached on a mug or\ntelevision, must not be patented. However, if an arrangement in question\nresults in completely different use of the combined product, it is eligible for\nthe patent Registration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Agriculture and horticulture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The technique for cultivation and agriculture cannot be\npatented. For instance, a new type of soil, or a new technique to cultivate any\ncrops or any food grains cannot be granted a patent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Medical processes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The medical, curative, surgical, or therapeutic process or\ntreatment of humans or a similar process or treatment for animals, which has\nbeen made to cure them or prevent them from disease or to increase their\neconomic value, must not be patented. It is noted that processes, in this case,\nare not considered an invention and are not entitled to be patented. For\ninstance, the process of heart surgery or kidney transplant is not patentable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plants and animals <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from micro-organisms, the other species, seeds, and\nessential sexual and asexual modes and reproduction and propagation methods are\nmust not be patentable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mathematical Methods and Computer Programs <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Any mathematical process, algorithms, a business method or a\ncomputer program, cannot be patented. A computer program can be given copyright\nas a &#8216;literary or artistic work, but the same cannot be patented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Literary and Artistic Work <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The types of literary, musical, artistic, or other aesthetic\ncreation, including cinematography and television production, comes within the\nambit of the Copyrights Act and get excluded from the scope of being patented.\nMethod of solving a puzzle and, likewise, a process or rule of playing a game\nor a mental act cannot be patented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Topography &amp; traditional knowledge <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Presentations, be it audio or visual, must not be patented.\nThe topography of any circuit must not be granted as patent. Any traditional\nknowledge or accrual of traditionally known components is also not patentable\nunless it is modified to become the new process or product that is unique and\nnon-obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Invention out of Atomic Energy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Section 4<\/strong> of\nthe Patent Act specifically excludes all the inventions coming within the\nmeaning of <strong><em>Section 20 (1) of Atomic Energy Act, 1962<\/em><\/strong>. If the atomic\nactivities are allowed to be patented then it can be misused and the same can\naffect the public&#8217;s safety or people at large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Characteristics_of_Patentable_Inventions\"><\/span>Characteristics of Patentable Inventions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Successfully filing a patent requires meeting a handful of eligibility\nstandards, including:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When an invention is useful<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This means that an idea attempting to patent has to have\nsome use. Further, this means it has a practical application or a specific\nprocess of fixing, creating, or using something. The best way is to pass the\nusefulness test is to explain what your created item can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>When an invention is explainable<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A heavy component of a patent application process shows what\na product does, how it was created and how it works. Many patent applications\nalso required diagrams and schematics to help the further show and explain your\npatent. If it cannot fully explain how an invention works or should be used,\nthen it takes time to do additional research to meet the requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>An invention has to be Legal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Any product that is a design and attempts to have patented\nmust be for legally backed up. The inventions that break laws or support\nillegal activity cannot be patented. Also, attempting to patent an item that\nbreaks the law might not be wise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An invention has to be significantly different from previous versions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In many cases, people are granted patents for items that\nalready exist, with the caveat that they have significant changes. In the\nPatent and Trademark Office&#8217;s eyes, these improvements essentially create a new\nproduct to increase the use of a current item, and solve a problem that an\nalready existing product has or creates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_an_idea_be_patented\"><\/span>Can an idea be patented?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 10 of the Patent Act provides some essential specifications that must be provided in the patent application. One such specification is the \u2018preamble\u2019. In the case of a provisional application, the preamble starts with \u201cthe following specification describes the invention\u201d. The preamble of a complete application reads as &#8220;the following specification particularly describes the invention and how it is to be performed\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is said that for an invention to be patented, it is essential that it has its practicability. Considering the same, if an idea patentable has the potential to be performed and one has the method and process for its working, then the <strong><em>idea has the possibility of changing into an invention and hence can be applied for a patent through a provisional application<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Interpretation and Explanation of Provisional Application<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For the reason of mandated disclosure of best mode of performance of invention to be mentioned in complete application, the idea patentable can be described and filed for a patent through provisional application. Subsequently, one can work a way out with the technique for its performance, <strong>within 12 months<\/strong> of filing a provisional application and then a complete application can be filed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it is noted that the provisional application may be\nrejected and be held invalid on the grounds of an insufficient description of\nthe invention or the method on the failure of filing a complete application\nwithin the stipulated period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, a person has an idea of making a mobile application cyber threat warning system and has the ability to convert the thought into an invention. In such a situation, the person may file a provisional application for a grant of a patent by describing his idea of the application. Later, within a period of 12 months, they may file a complete application, describing the mode and process of performance of such invention. Failure of the submission of complete application can amount to invalidation of the application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With reference to the above discussion, it can be said that\nan idea can be patented if it can later be transformed into an invention. An\ninventor can initially file for a patent for his idea, but he must analyze his\nidea of whether it can be performed or not. If an idea lacks the capacity of\nperformance, the application will be rejected, and the patent cannot be granted.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hence, for the idea to be filed in the patent application, it is essential that the idea patentable must not be vague but substantive enough to become an asset later. It is provided the mode of performance of the invention is available and possible. <a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/\"><strong>CorpBiz<\/strong><\/a> professionals shall be happy to secure your Ideas and thoughts along with any legal backups required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-left\"><b>Read our article<\/b>:<mark style=\"background: #fffd03 !important;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/patent-filing-fees-for-small-entities-in-india\/\">Patent Filing Fees for Small Entities in India\n<\/a><\/mark><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The patentability of an idea is one of the controversial topics faced during the grant of patents. There is a slight difference between an idea and an invention because every invention is first an idea that later matures and then get idea patentable. It seems there is no substantial way to protect an idea under [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":16232,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[282],"tags":[991],"acf":{"service_id":"20"},"authorName":"Soumya Bajpai","authorImageUrl":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/0.jpg","authorDescription":"Soumya has done LLB (Hons) and has a 2+years experience in writing. Her main interest is in reading judgments, new enactments and amendments taking around in law. She always strives to bring the best to work that she does.","postViews":3517,"readingTime":7,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16212"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16212"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16212\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":71203,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16212\/revisions\/71203"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16212"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16212"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16212"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}