A patent is an exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor or assignee for a limited period in exchange for detailed public disclosure of an invention. It provides the right to exclude others from making, using, selling, or importing the patented invention.

Patent registration is important because it provides legal protection for inventions, encouraging innovation and investment in research and development. It allows inventors to commercially exploit their inventions and prevent others from using them without permission.

Any person, individual, or legal entity (such as a company or organization) that invents a new and useful process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, can apply for a patent.

The patent registration process typically takes several years, depending on the complexity of the invention, examination by the Patent Office, and potential challenges or objections from third parties. It can vary widely from country to country.

Yes, there are mechanisms such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and regional patent offices (e.g., European Patent Office) that facilitate international patent applications. These applications can lead to patents being granted in multiple countries.

Yes, to obtain a patent, an inventor must disclose the invention in detail in the patent application. However, disclosures made up to 12 months before filing the patent application are usually not considered prior art that could invalidate the patent.