A patent is generally issued to legally protect unique design, process or new product ideas. Inventors and innovators apply for patent protection in order to preserve their financial and other rights accruing from their work. Patent law provides protections to the owner of a patent that prohibit others from copying or otherwise using their patented processes or designs for a period of years. When someone does use the patented property in an unauthorized fashion, the law allows the patent holder to sue for damages and injunctive relief.
