Legal Definitions - Biotechnology Patent Process Protection Act

The Biotechnology Patent Process Protection Act is a federal law passed in 1995 that allows biotechnological processes to be patented if they are novel and nonobvious. This means that if a process or the resulting material is new and not obvious to someone skilled in the field, it can be protected by a patent.

For example, if a company develops a new process for creating a genetically modified organism that has never been done before, they can apply for a patent to protect their invention. Similarly, if a company creates a new material using biotechnology, such as a new type of vaccine, they can also apply for a patent to protect their creation.

The Biotechnology Patent Process Protection Act helps to encourage innovation in the biotechnology industry by providing legal protection for new and innovative processes and materials. This protection allows companies to invest in research and development without fear of their ideas being stolen or copied by competitors.