Legal Definitions - small invention

A small invention is a type of patent registration called a utility model. It gives patent-like rights in some countries, usually for a shorter term than a regular patent and with little or no search required. Utility-model patents are not available in the U.S. or Great Britain, but are offered in Japan and many European countries, including Germany and France. They are available for machines only, and not for chemicals.

• A new type of stapler that is easier to use
• A more efficient design for a coffee maker
• A better way to organize files on a computer

These examples illustrate small inventions because they are all improvements on existing products or processes. They are not groundbreaking or revolutionary, but they still have value and can be protected by a utility model patent.