Patent Infringement

Patent infringement occurs when a party makes, uses, sells, or distributes a patented invention without the consent of the patent holder. It is a violation of the patent owner’s exclusive rights granted by the patent office. Infringement can happen in various forms, such as copying the design, manufacturing a similar product, or using the patented technology without permission. If a patent owner suspects infringement, they can take legal action by sending a cease-and-desist letter, negotiating a settlement, or filing a lawsuit in court. Legal consequences of patent infringement can include monetary damages, injunctions to stop the infringing activity, and the possible destruction of infringing products. To protect a patent, owners must monitor the marketplace for potential violations. Enforcement is key to ensuring the patent’s value is upheld and preventing unfair competition. In some cases, an agreement like licensing may be used to resolve disputes and allow the infringer to use the patent under agreed terms.