1. Introduction
Inventions are new, unique, useful creations or solutions to problems developed through the inventive process. Inventions can exist tangible, such as a machine, apparatus or product, or intangible, such as a process or method. Inventors use their knowledge, creativity and problem-solving skills to conceive new ideas and turn them into useful inventions. Inventors can work individually or in teams, often going through a process of research, development and testing before bringing an invention to market. Inventions have a wide range of applications and are used to improve people’s lives, solve problems and advance technology.
Low-cost inventions are innovations designed to provide affordability and accessibility to a wide range of people. These inventions often use inexpensive materials and simple design techniques, making them more affordable than other products on the market. The goal of low-cost inventions is to provide useful and innovative products to people who might not be able to afford more expensive options. These inventions are especially useful in developing countries where access to affordable products may be limited. Examples of low-cost inventions include water filtration systems, solar-powered lighting systems, and simple medical devices.
A patent is a legal document that grants an inventor or his assignee exclusive rights for a limited period, usually 20 years from the date of filing. Patents allow inventors to prevent others from making, using, selling or importing their inventions without a license. In return for this protection, inventors must disclose details of their invention in a patent application, which becomes public information once a patent is granted. There are different types of patents, including utility model patents, which refer to useful inventions, and design patents, which refer to decorative designs of objects. Obtaining a patent can be a complex and expensive process, and requires inventors to adhere to specific standards and follow specific procedures.
A patent proposal is a written document that outlines the details of an invention and provides evidence that it meets the criteria to be patented. The proposal usually includes a detailed description of the invention, including how it works and what it is used for. It may also include drawings or diagrams used to illustrate the invention, as well as any background information or prior art that may be considered relevant. To be eligible for a patent, an invention must be new, non-obvious and useful. Accordingly, the proposal should include evidence supporting these claims, such as information on prior search techniques and comparisons to similar inventions. The proposal can also include information on the potential market for the invention and any commercialization plans.
Patents are intended to encourage technological development by providing inventors with exclusive rights to their inventions for a limited period of time. This enables inventors to profit from their creations and incentivizes them to continue developing and improving their technologies. By granting inventors exclusive rights to their inventions, patents also encourage others to invest in research and development by creating confidence that their investment will be protected. In addition, the disclosure requirement of the patent process helps facilitate the sharing of knowledge and ideas, thereby stimulating further technological development. Overall, the patent system aims to foster innovation and advance technology by providing a framework for protecting and rewarding inventors.
For these reasons, this special issue aims to examine the state of the art in low-cost technologies for patent applications. In today’s competitive world, driving technological innovation through invention is a way for companies to survive and add value to their services and products. Managing technological innovation requires the implementation of various mechanisms, including the protection of intellectual property rights. Patents, licenses, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets are some of the legal tools inventors and innovators can use to enforce ownership of their inventions. This special issue focuses on low-cost technologies that give inventors more ways to protect their innovations.