16 Terrace Review — Wednesday, March 2, 1988 When and how to -. patent your idea Whether you hope to build a business by marketing your new invention or simply want to use your brainchild without allowing others to profit by it, you may want to seek patent protection. A patent is a time-limited right granted by the Government of Canada to an in- ventor, to exclude others from manufac- turing, using, or selling the invention in Canada, without the permission of the patentee. This protection is limited to a 17-year period, after which anyone can use the invention. by Phil Harti Manager, Terrace Federal Business Development Bank. Protect Your Creation : In Canada, patents are issued by the Patents Office, a depart- 7 ment of Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada. Legislation under the Patent Act allows you to take legal recourse against any individual or company that infringes on your patent. Just what is patentable? Not every product of your creative genius is patentable. For example, patents will not be issued for literary, artistic works, or computer software. These might, however, be eligible for some protection under the Canadian Copyright Act. Similarily, you cannot patent a trademark or an industrial design, but you may be able to protect them under ) another legislation. To be eligible for patent protection, an invention must reflect | technological development or improvement that provides a | | significant functional advantage, and that is not obvious | beforehand to specialists in the technology being considered. 3 Consult A Patent Agent | To successfully receive patent protection, your application must meet all the requirements of both the Patent Act and the Patent Rules. To improve your likelihood of success, it is recommended that you consult a Registered Patent Agent as early as possible. , Working confidentially on your behalf, the agent will ensure | that all of the requirements are met and that your invention is properly described in your application. This will enable you to receive the maximum allowable protection. To apply for a patent, you must be either the person who application must be filed within two years of the first Canadian use or sale, and within two years of publication anywhere in the world. Since the Patent Act only provides you with protection within Canada, you may wish to file patent applications in other coun- tries. Your chosen patent agent can also help you protect your in- vention outside of Canada. A Lengthy Process The application process may take as long as three years from the original filing date. After an initial interview to learn about ‘your invention, the patent agent will conduct a search of all ex- isting patents registered in Ottawa, to determine whether any similar inventions are known and protected. - The patent agent then prepares a detailed description and _ ‘drawing of the invention, helps complete all the paperwork, and files your application with the Commissioner of Patents. Jt is not necessary that an invention be marketable to be eligi- - ble for patent protection. However, since the entire patenting _ dollars, you may wish to consider the market demand for. the in- -vention before spending too much money. - Responsibility !s Yours “Enjoying patent protection is more than simply holding an of- “ficial piece of paper. Once you’ve got the, patent, the responsibili- ty is yours to ensure that there is no patent infringement by = others. If this does occur, you’re entitled to damages — even if . - you are not marketing the invention — but you must institute ~~ fegal proceedings. 7 -.. Even if you are not planning to manufacture and sell your in- — -yention, a patent may be beneficial for your ego. But since the ~ possibility may arise-that someone is interested in buying the --yights or manufacturing under license, seeking patent protection . early may be a smart way to do business. . originated the invention or the assignee of the inventor. A patent . process can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand — WO “tte Ajued Funoral Home Ltd. i, Dedicated people, understanding a need. 4727 Park Avenue, Terrace, B.C., V8G 1W2 7: Misaesation . i PHONE: 638-8319 Quick and easy... | TERRACE | BUSINESS GUIDE — West Coast | | Thornhill Grocery . Chimney Service| , & Laundromat ' . * Open 7 days a week 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. Clean Chimney Maintenance % Fresh meat cut daily Dealer for: h ‘Take-out’ FINGARD CHIMNEY * Slane Agony Take-out foods: FIRE EXTINGUISHERS 635-9557 a across tr om ent Pro TECH ELECTRONICS KALUM ELECTRIC 4519 LAKELSE AVE., TERRACE Major Appliances: 635-5134 Frigidaire Electrohome Complete electronics Westinghouse Quasar T.V. repair services Sales & Service VCR Service centre for most ene jpepot We service major brands 3234 Kalum St. 635-6286 Satelite TV systems Kalum Electric Ltd. Your complete ek ~~ : | source for all Tops Da ~~ your heating Hah | GaXy CONTRACTING needs. — 4 Commercial & Residential Construction, Northwest Consolidated Maintenance, Repairs & Renovations Suppy Ltd. Wood Stove Installations 5239 Kelth Ave., Terrace 635-7158 43916 MOUNTAINVIEW AVE. eo5 5 a59 TERRACE. B.C. = Specializing Ma Jui 4x4 and ¥' Automatic TOTAL BUSINESS SERVICES #: TYPING ci t VOICE PAGERS % PHOTOCOPYING de Transmission s 24&-HOUR ANSWERING SERVICE ie {* Repairs 638-8195 North Coast Auto #1-2288 Kalum St., Terrace, B.c.vaG2N4 = Ss Repairs Ltd iiseccr %, iiflatable Boat Repairs <@ Durable — High Quality A (-WEST) TERRACE LTD. | AS RY Vulcanizing Repairs 2% GLASS 4711-A Keith Ave. oe We specialize in Conveyer Belt % 3 . ; Installations, Splicing, and Repairs. “e “Zk Auto Glass Specialists Vulcanizing and Pulley Lagging. °o . 24 HOUR SERVICE ; ICBC claims handled promptly HI-QUALITY BELTING & 638 11 ‘CONTRACTING SERVICES | -1166 AAR_BSA0 638-0663 638-1876 MERC CRUISERS x MARINER OUTBOARDS HAMILTON & OUTBOARD MARINER JETS HOMELIGHT LAWNMOWERS YAMAHA 3 & 4 WHEELERS ; YAMAHA POWER PRODUCTS SHINDAIWA CHAIN SAWS DL No. 7550 & POWER PRODUCTS ‘KEN’S MARINE NET rt ti 4946 Greig Ave. Phone: 635-2909 B&G GROCERY Laundromat & Carwash Open 8:30 - 10:30 daily 2701 S. Kalum _ 635-6180 ‘Industrtal Commercial & Residential Wiring = \ Nate’s Electric Nathan Waddell — Electrical Contractor 4931 Lazoile Ave., Terrace DOC’S CARTAGE AND STORAGE CO. (1984) LTD. Agents for United Van Lines .. 4cross town or across the nation. 635-2728 3111 Blakeburn St., Terrace, B.C. In Kitimat — Phone 632-2544 Sales and Service for Motorcycles «x Chainsaws Snowmobiles * Marine Supplies TERRACE 4 EQUIPMENT _ SALES = LTD. 4441 Lakelse Ave., Terrace SUZUKI Ph. 635-6384 - Terrace Review — oe 635-7840 4535 Grelg Avenue,