Questions: Which is true regarding patents? They always belong to whoever made the invention. They can be used by others, license-free. They only provide protection for around 5 years. They cannot be copied without permission.

The answer is: They cannot be copied without permission.

This is not necessarily true. While the inventor is typically the initial owner of the patent, patents can be assigned or transferred to other entities, such as companies or individuals, through agreements.

This is incorrect. Patents grant the holder exclusive rights to the invention, meaning others cannot use, make, sell, or distribute the patented invention without permission, usually in the form of a license.

This is incorrect. The duration of patent protection varies by country, but it is generally around 20 years from the filing date for utility patents. Design patents typically have a shorter duration, often around 15 years from the grant date in the United States.

This is correct. A patent provides the holder with the exclusive right to prevent others from making, using, selling, or distributing the patented invention without authorization. This means that copying the invention without permission would constitute patent infringement.