What are the Key Mechanisms for International Protection?
Several mechanisms exist for obtaining international protection in nanotechnology:
Patents: These are the primary means of protecting nanotechnological inventions. A patent grants the holder exclusive rights to their invention, typically for 20 years. Trademarks: These protect brand names and symbols associated with nanotechnological products. Trade secrets: These involve keeping certain processes or formulas confidential. Unlike patents, there is no time limit, but protection can be lost if the secret is discovered. Copyrights: These are less common in nanotechnology but can protect software and other digital works associated with nanotechnological applications.
