A patent,
which may be granted
in one or more countries,
is an industrial property right
protecting
a technical innovation

Patent

The owner of the patent can prevent any third party from exploiting the protected invention without its consent and, if applicable, can sue infringing parties.

A patent therefore guarantees the owner free use of the results of its research and investment.

A company can earn additional income by licensing its patents.

For the purposes of the accounts, a patent is an asset that may entitle the owner to lower tax or to tax credits (research tax credit). It means that any developments made by the company can be capitalized.

A patent portfolio keeps a company’s expertise and know-how together even if staff may come and go. It is evidence of a controlled and coordinated research and development process and shows the company’s clients that it is a reliable and responsible partner. It also demonstrates a company’s ability to innovate and develop.

Patent may be filed for any territory (for example for France, Europe, the United States, as an international application) depending on the economic and strategic interests of the company. It means that the company can prepare for entry into new markets and defend existing ones.

To obtain a patent, the invention must be novel, inventive and industrially applicable.