patenteerima

Patenteerima is the Estonian verb meaning to obtain a patent for an invention, or to seek legal protection for a novel technical solution. The term is used to describe the act of applying for and acquiring exclusive rights granted by a patent.

Patentability criteria include novelty, inventive step (non-obviousness), and industrial applicability. The invention must be sufficiently disclosed in the patent application to enable a person skilled in the field to reproduce it. In most jurisdictions, the applicant must define the scope of protection through claims, and the description must support those claims.

The process typically involves several stages. First, an inventor assesses the idea and conducts a patent search to evaluate prior art. Next, a patent application is drafted and filed with the national patent office; the application may be examined for formal requirements and, in many cases, for substantive patentability. Applicants seeking broader protection may pursue regional or international routes, such as filing under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or through regional patent offices. If granted, the patent provides exclusive rights to exploit the invention for a period that commonly lasts 20 years from the filing date, subject to timely payment of maintenance fees. Rights holders may license, assign, or enforce the patent against infringers.

In Estonia, patenteerimine typically proceeds through national and European routes, while international applicants can use WIPO and EPO processes. Software- and biotechnology-related inventions may face additional jurisdictional rules.