Question

Which of the following is true with regard to the law governing patents?

1) a patent will only be granted if the invention has been the subject of a publication of over one year prior to the application.
2) computer programs, as a general rule, can be patented as well as copyrighted, because they are a set of instructions to a computer.
3) if a patent is developed by an employee, the employee has the right to obtain the patent.
4) in exchange for the monopoly given under the patent act, the owner of the patent must disclose the invention in its entirety.
5) an amendment to the patent act allows patent protection automatically.

Answer 1

Patent law involves the disclosure of inventions and the granting of exclusive rights, but there are certain misconceptions.

Step-by-step explanation:

In regard to the law governing patents:

1. False: A patent will generally not be granted if the invention has been the subject of a publication of over one year prior to the application.
2. True: Computer programs can be protected under both patent and copyright laws.
3. False: If a patent is developed by an employee, the employer generally has the right to obtain the patent.
4. True: In exchange for the monopoly given under the patent act, the owner of the patent must disclose the invention in its entirety.
5. False: An amendment to the patent act does not automatically grant patent protection.