An invention patent grants the inventor the right to prevent others from making, using, or selling their invention without permission, under Thailand's Patent Act B.E. 2522 and its amendments. To qualify, an invention must be a new mechanism, structure, component, or process ("novelty") with an inventive step beyond what already exists - the Department of Intellectual Property conducts a substantive examination before granting a patent, unlike a petty patent, which uses a lower bar and a faster preliminary review.
What Is a Patent? Everything You Need to Know
- Protected for 20 years from the filing date, not renewable
- Requires substantive examination by the Department of Intellectual Property before grant - takes longer than a petty patent
- The invention must have novelty, an inventive step, and industrial applicability
- If the improvement is minor, a petty patent may be more suitable and registers faster
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Patent Articles
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A summary of the process, timeline, documents, and estimated costs of patent registration.
Petty Patent
Petty Patent vs. Patent: What's the Difference and Which Should You Choose
Comparing invention patents and petty patents to help you choose the right protection for your invention.
IP Overview
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An overview of all 3 types of IP protection, to help you plan before filing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is an invention patent different from a petty patent?
Both protect inventions, but an invention patent requires a higher inventive step and substantive examination, with 20 years of protection. A petty patent uses a lower bar, registers faster, and has a shorter term. See our comparison article for details.
Can I patent just an idea, without a prototype?
A patent protects an invention described clearly enough for a person skilled in the field to actually implement it. A broad idea without enough technical detail usually doesn't meet this bar yet. Consult a patent agent to assess your readiness before filing.
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