Discuss US

question 1

Essay

Discuss U.S. patent law. Give examples of items that can and cannot be patented.
U.S. patent law protects the rights of those who discover tools, machines, processes and other "novel, useful, and non-obvious" inventions. Recently patented items include Amazon.com's one-click internet checkout (business method) and a new type of hybrid corn.
The Supreme Court has held that "laws of nature, natural phenomena [or] abstract ideas" are not patent-eligible.
Once a U.S. patent is acquired, the inventor has a complete monopoly for 20 years. During that time, no one else may use or profit from the invention without permission.

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Definitions:

Bell-Shaped Distribution

A graphical representation of data that displays a normal distribution, which appears as a symmetrical bell-shaped curve.

Random Samples

A selection method used in research to gather participants from a larger population in a way that each individual has an equal chance of being chosen.

Population Averages

Statistical measures that summarize the central tendency of a collection of data, representing the average characteristics of a population.

Standard Deviation

A statistical measure that quantifies the variation or dispersion of a set of numerical data.