If You Invent Something and Don't Patent It, It Falls

question 35

Multiple Choice

If you invent something and don't patent it, it falls into the public domain, meaning that ________.

• A) you can sell your invention publicly without paying the U.S. Patent Office
• B) anyone can manufacture your invention and profit from selling it without paying you
• C) you can sell the right to manufacture the invention
• D) you can save a lot of money

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Definitions:

Electric Shifter Assembly

A system that uses electrical signals to change gears in a vehicle, replacing mechanical linkage with electronic controls.

Fault Code

A condition failure code logged to computer memory and often broadcast onto the vehicle data bus. Classified as active or historic/inactive, fault codes are assigned one of twelve failure mode indicators (FMIs) for purposes of diagnosing system conditions and recording to audit trails.

Ignition Key

A key used to start a vehicle's engine by engaging the ignition system.

Gear Select Sensor

A device in a vehicle's transmission system that detects the position of the gear lever and sends signals accordingly to the transmission control module.