Patent Assistance Worldwide Provides The Foundation and Importance of Patents

Study regarding the lengthy and rich history of patents is insightful. It would be simple and easy for people to assume that patents are a pretty modern advancement, but that could not be more mistaken. The truth is, it is thought that the earliest known patent is thought to have been given in Venice, Italy in the 12th century. These earliest known patents were basically ten year monopolies granted to the inventors of the silk weaving process.

By the 14th century, the English had developed a process wherein the Crown granted special privileges to inventors which allowed them sole utilization of their invention until it became a viable industry. The earliest known patent under this system was granted in 1449 to a glass making practice used by Venetian Glass makers. The patent was awarded for a duration of 20 years.

It is important to note the difference between those 14th century patents and the patents in the present day. Those first patents made no distinction between inventors and those who merely imported new methods to their country to lower their reliance upon imports. By allowing patents to entrepreneurial importers, England took a significant step in realizing that the new technologies imported to their country would create jobs and increase their economy.

The original legal statues integrated into governments about Patents were in the Republic of Venice in 1474. This statute stated that new inventions needed to be recorded with the Republic to be able to secure legal protection from potential infringers. This early statute laid down the standard principles of today’s Patent Law. Inventions had to be both new and useful, the rights provided for the inventor were exclusive, the Patent was applied for a limited time, and those who infringed on the patent could possibly be instructed to cease and desist all rivalling inventions relevant to the Patent.

At the same time, England’s Patent system was becoming extremely corrupt. The Crown supplied Patent privileges to individuals they looked at as worthy, since this was a very good way of raising funds. This process generated unhappiness amongst creators as the Crown granted their monopolies to favored inventors in return for a sum of money. In the end, King James the first ended all existing patent rights to opt for the 1623 statute of monopolies which granted monopolies only to new inventions and was enforceable for a limited amount of time.

The system of approving patents was especially busy throughout the Industrial revolution, leading the practice to be adopted by other countries. The first United States Patent laws were released in 1790 with France following in 1791. In 1883, patent laws were internationalized during the signing of the Paris Convention.

The essential premises of current patent law have been in place for over 400 years. This isn't so astonishing if you think of the great leaps and strides in technology over those 400 years. Even the past 50 years we have witnessed computers and the Internet and digital photography not to mention cellular phone service definitely change the way the entire world lives.