Patents
A patent protects a specific solution to a technical problem. The patent gives exclusive rights for a limited period of time during which you can deny competitors the right to use the same solution for as long as the patent remains in force. It can provide an important competitive advantage and increase the value of your invention.
Why apply for patent protection?
Developing a new product often requires large investments. A patent can give you an important competitive advantage because you get the exclusive right to exploit your invention commercially.
A patent gives you a documented exclusive right that can:
- increase the competitive advantage and improve the opportunity to make money from the invention
- help you achieve greater market shares
- help prevent conflicts
- used as evidence in a conflict
- enable you to sell or license the invention
- make your business more attractive to business partners and investors
The Norwegian Industrial Property Office - Patents
What type of protection do you need
Are you unsure whether it is a trademark, design or patent that you should register? The Norwegian Industrial Property Office has developed a test to see which values it may be important for your company to protect.
Before applying
If you plan to apply for a patent on an invention, it is especially important to conduct a thorough search in international databases and sources. You cannot obtain a patent for something that already exists, no matter where in the world it is found. An invention may, for example, have been published in a previous patent application or mentioned on a website. It is crucial that the invention is new.
Search - Find patents, trademarks and designs in Norway
You can also order a preliminary search from the Norwegian Industrial Property Office to uncover if the invention can be patented.
Preliminary Search Service – patents
What can be patented?
- Procedures or methods
- Technical products
- Applications
The invention must be new, involve a certain level of invention, and be capable of being reproduced.
What is the duration of a patent?
A patent can normally be held valid for up to 20 years, starting from the date on which you submit your application. The patent must be renewed every year by paying an annual fee.
How to apply for a patent?
To apply for a patent, you can use the application guide on the Norwegian Industrial Property Office's website. The application guide provides a more convenient application process.
Alternatively, you can submit applications for patents to the Norwegian Industrial Property Office via Altinn.
You have to pay a fee to have the application processed. See the Norwegian Industrial Property Office website for processing fees.
The application process can be complex. If you have no previous experience with submitting such applications, you should consider getting professional help from a patent agency, for example.
Innovasjon Norge about IPR advisor database (in Norwegian)
The Patent Act (in Norwegian only)
Patent Regulation (in Norwegian only)
International patent registration
A patent will only be valid in the country in which it has been registered. However, there are schemes for applying for patents in several countries simultaneously.
The Norwegian Industrial Property Office - Apply for a trademark in other countries
Appealing against other parties' patents
It is possible to raise a complaint against other parties' patent or patent application. You can obtain more information about this from the Norwegian Industrial Property Office.
Mortgaging of patents
It is possible to mortgage patents, patent applications and patent licenses in Norway.
Employee inventions
Employees generally have the same rights to their inventions as other inventors. However, subject to certain conditions, the Act on employee inventions gives the employer the right to take over an invention. This only applies to patentable inventions. This does not mean that you have to apply for a patent, but the conditions for being granted a patent must be met.
The employer's right to take over an invention is determined on the basis of the employee's duties within the business, and what agreement the employee has entered into with the employer. If an employer wishes to take over an invention, the employee may be entitled to compensation.
The Norwegian Industrial Property Office - Employee Inventions
The Employee Inventions Act (in Norwegian only)
Keep up-to-date through courses from The Norwegian Industrial Property Office
The Norwegian Industrial Property Office offers various courses on how to protect your assets through patent, trademark- and design rights. Most of the courses are free, and many of them are streamed online. You can also watch videos and recordings of previous courses and webinars – completely free of charge.
