Plenty of new inventors are doubtful that the idea is eligible for a patent. They shouldn't. Even the most unlikely of ideas move through the patent office each day.
For instance, Patent Number 5443036: Approach to Exercising a Cat
This inventor patented, "A method for inducing cats to workout includes directing a beam of invisible light made by a hand-held laser apparatus onto the floor or wall or another opaque surface nearby the kitty, then moving the laser so as to result in the bright pattern of sunshine to move in a irregular way fascinating to cats, and also to any other animal using a chase instinct."
Basically, he patented pointing a laserlight at a wall for your amusement of his cat. Valid, groundbreaking and life-changing...less. Patentable nonetheless.
Just what exactly makes the difference? What sorts of ideas can be patented? And just what can't?
Today, you'll educate yourself on the difference.
Patents - "Anything under the sun produced by the hand of person..."
The general rule of patents is they has to be created by man. This is a pretty broad statement, let's quickly have a look at a short list with explanations.
1. Mechanical devices and articles of manufacture - The dictionary defines a mechanical device as "a mechanism which includes a device that works well on mechanical principles". Pretty creative, huh? Anyways, if you can create a machine that's new and useful, it is possible to patent it.
2. Processes - A process is simply a way of doing things. If you're able to create a better process for doing something, how to pitch an idea to a company.
3. Chemical compositions - Many new drugs come under this category. Arranging chemicals to resolve problems after which patenting them is really a multi-billion dollar industry.
4. Software - Amazon.com practically cornered the marketplace if this patented the 1-Click ordering system. As it owns the patent, no other website may use their proprietary system without paying a royalty and obtaining permission first.
5. Genetic organisms - This can be a neat one yet still up for debate in this new era of uncoding DNA.
6. Improvements - Must you have a completely new idea to obtain a patent? Or even, do not despair. Most patents are suitable for existing ideas which can be improved.
7. Designs (Design Patent - surface ornamentation) - Keeping with the advance theme, you do not already have to make something better to obtain a patent. You just need to ensure it is look different.
8. Asexually reproduced plants (Plant Patent) - For your botanist/inventor in you.
That's about it. That seems enjoy it covers everything, but there are some exceptions. As an example you can not patent:
-- Laws of nature (E=MC2)
-- Physical phenomena (gravity)
-- Abstract ideas
-- Inventions who are not useful or otherwise not operable (such as perpetual motion machines)
And of course if someone else owns your idea already, you can't patent it (that's why it's always a good idea to do a patent search before undertaking the journey to get a patent).