Patent: Can a student have it too?

In September 2021, the government of India declared that patent fees for all educational institutions have been reduced by 80%. Most educators and career coaches have welcomed this move as it might promote innovation and development of new technologies. High patenting fees had been a restrictive element for bright young students and student-teacher teams so far. So what is a patent and why is it so important to have for inventors?  

What is the legal meaning of a patent?  
Legally speaking, a patent is a right granted to the owner of an invention that prevents others from making, using, importing or selling the invention without his permission, while the owner can do all of these activities. So, a patent is an intellectual property right for protecting inventions. It grants the owner of an exclusive right to the invention for a limited period, and is provided by the government in exchange for full disclosure of the details of the invention. This invention can be a whole new product, new process addition or a new technical solution. Indian laws grant a patent’s license for 20 years, at the end of which, it can be renewed by paying the license fee.  

Who can get a patent?  
A patent can be got by anyone, including teens or even tweens. If a child discovers a new super adhesive or a new data file format, he or she can patent it, just like any grown up. Inventors can also get a patent jointly, as a team. In case someone steals the intellectual property, and starts using it commercially, the patent owner can file a complaint with the court. Patent lawsuits, unfortunately, are very common.  

What are some features of a patent? 
The patenting right is for a limited period of time, and valid within a specified geography, for example, the country of India, bound by the laws of only that country, and subject to regulations of that country. For example, anything edible, from health biscuits to a new medicine, would have to follow the health and safety norms of our country.