Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a patent?
2. How long does a patent protect my rights?
3. What types of inventions are awarded a patent?
4. If my company is awarded a patent, is it enforced globally?
5. What happens if 2 people have unknowingly and independently created the same invention and neither have disclosed it to the world?

What is a patent?A Patent gives an inventor the right - for a limited period of time - to stop others from making, using or selling an invention without the explicit permission of the inventor.

How long does a patent protect my rights?Twenty (20) years from the date of filing a regular Utility Patent Application.

What types of inventions are awarded a patent? A patent can only be obtained for an invention that is new and useful.

If my company is awarded a patent, is it enforced globally?No. Please understand that patents are territorial. A Kenyan patent does not give rights outside of Kenya. Therefore your company should file a patent application in the respective countries you wish to market or manufacture your invention. We can assist you in this process.

What happens if 2 people have unknowingly and independently created the same invention and neither have disclosed it to the world? In this scenario, the person who applies for the patent first will be considered, by law, to be the fist and true inventor despite the fact that the other inventor may have invented the idea earlier.