Patents
The formal recognition of an inventor’s right of
ownership to his invention, was first conceived
in Venice in 1421 when the state granted a
monopoly to Phillip0 Brunillesci in respect of his
invention of a floating architectural crane. This
was followed in England in 1449 when Henry VI
granted a monopoly to one John of Utyman who
was installing the stained glass windows in Eton
College chapel.
When a patent is granted a ‘deal’ is struck
between the state and the inventor whereby the
inventor is granted a monopoly in the exploitation
of his invention for a limited period of time in
the state’s territory, in return for the inventor
disclosing his invention and it being made
available to the world at large. The very word
‘patent’ derives from the Latin ‘literae patented
meaning open letter. It can be seen therefore
that the basis of patent protection is the concept
of the ownership of a new idea (the invention);
and consequent upon the demonstration of that
ownership, the establishment of a ‘contract