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Discovery and invention are two different words. Both the terms are often confusing because they sound like they are the same thing but in reality, these two words have completely different meanings. Discovery and Invention refer to bringing something new to light or shedding light on something new, respectively. Discovery and invention might allow us to better comprehend the fundamentals and their analogies.
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| Table of Contents |
Key terms: Discovery, Invention, Patent Act, Creation, Designing, Inventor, fossil fuel, gravity
What is Discovery?
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The process of identifying anything new or previously unrecognized as meaningful that already exists in the surroundings but was never recognized previously. In simple words, to recognize something new that already exists in the environment.
Something that has been in nature or the environment but has never been seen by humans and has now been acknowledged will be classified as 'new.' A discovery may be based on previous discoveries, partnerships, or notions. Some discoveries represent a fundamental change in knowledge or technology. There have been several significant discoveries that have resulted in significant advancements in knowledge and technology.
Discovery vs Invention
The first description of natural law or a law derived from natural laws is a discovery. Apart from an improvement in knowledge, nothing has altered as a result of the discovery.
Example of Discovery: Gravity was discovered, not invented, by Isaac Newton. Gravity existed before the formation of the Earth, according to scientific evidence. Newton did not create it; rather, he discovered it and named it. Another example is fossils. Scientists discover fossils that have been around for thousands of years.
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What is Invention?
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The invention is defined as the development of something new that never existed before by one’s effort, hard work, knowledge, ideas, experiments, and talents. In other words, the invention is the manufacture of something wholly new that has its applications and functions in the current world.
A person who develops or creates an invention is known as an inventor. The term "inventor" is derived from the Latin word which means "to find." Although inventing is frequently connected with science and engineering, inventors are not always engineers or scientists.
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Sometimes a person works alone on an idea to create something new, while other times a group of scientists collaborates to create something valuable. It may also be created by one person, on which other people can add to or enhance. It is critical in altering the way individuals conduct their work. An invention can be patented by its originator.
Inventions are classified into three types: scientific-technological (including medical), sociopolitical (encompassing economics and law), and humanistic or cultural.
What is Invention?
Examples of Invention: The origin of scissors was driven by the requirement for a tool that could efficiently and methodically cut through items; they were created for a specific purpose.
The wheel is an invention made from wood, rubber, or metal, all of which existed previous to the development of the wheel.
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What is a Patent?
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A patent is a sort of intellectual property that allows its owner the legal right to prevent others from creating, using, or selling an invention for a limited time in exchange for the publication of an enabling disclosure of the invention.
Section 2(J) of the Patents Act of 1970 defines an invention as "a distinct product or technique involving an inventive step and capable of industrial application." The term "inventive step" refers to a technical improvement that was not previously available.
The Act expressly specifies that discovery is not patentable and is not protected by a patent. Sections 3(C) and (D) clearly describe that the simple finding of something that already exists in nature is not patentable under the Act since it is not new and hence would not be regarded as an invention. Only inventions are patentable under the Patents Act, whereas discoveries are not.
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Difference between Discovery and Invention
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Both the terms have different meanings. Simply said, the invention is the production of something new by one's knowledge, hard effort, and talents. In contrast to discovery, the invention is the creation of something wholly new that may have its applications and functions in the modern world.
| Discovery | Invention |
|---|---|
| The act of finding or exploring anything new which doesn’t have previously been discovered is referred to as discovery. | The act of creating or designing an object or a service with the help of one’s knowledge or hard work is called Invention, |
| Discovery represents natural occurrences. | The invention is the result of scientific or human-made artifacts, devices, processes. |
| Discovery includes exploring the world. | The invention involves the process of experimentation. |
| Discovery is non-patent. | Creators or Inventors are allowed to patent their inventions. |
| Discovery is done purposely or accidentally. | Inventions are done purposely. |
| It exists previously but is unknown. | It doesn’t exist previously, made from know objects, processes. |
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Things to Remember:
- Before the actual discovery, an object of discovery existed.
- An invention is a unique idea or something that did not exist previously.
- The term "discovery" refers to things that have been around for a long time. The invention, on the other hand, relates to things that never existed.
- Discovery refers to natural occurrences, on the other hand, an invention refers to man-made objects, tools, processes, and so on.
- Inventions are the integration of previously known items, and discoveries can be achieved with the assistance of inventions.
- The patent only covers inventions, not discoveries.
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Sample Questions:
Ques. Identify the discovery from the given options: [1 marks]
America
Printing Press
Compass
Light Bulb
Ans. America
Explanation: Christopher Columbus found America in the year 1492. Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer, navigator, and colonizer who lived in America. It is commonly said that "Columbus discovered America." Perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that he introduced Western Europe to the Americas during his four travels to the region between 1492 and 1502.
Ques. Identify the invention from the given options: [1 marks]
America
Gravity
Fossils
Light Bulb
Ans. Light Bulb
Explanation. Thomas Edison is the inventor of the lightbulb, he was not the only one who contributed to the advancement of this breakthrough device. Many other important inventors, engineers, and scientists from throughout the world have also been recognized for their contributions to electric batteries, lighting, and the development of the first incandescent bulbs.
Ques. What is the Record of Invention? [3 marks]
Ans. A record of invention (ROI), also known as an invention disclosure, is a secret document created by the inventor that outlines how the technology is developed and how it functions to solve a specific problem. A Record of Invention is a Lab document created by the inventor and submitted to the Lab's Patent group via the Innovation Portal.
Ques. What are the basic principles of patent law? [3 marks]
Ans. The invention must be novel, which means that it does not already exist. Second, the invention must be non-obvious, i.e. it must be a considerable advance over the prior one; a minor change in technique will not grant the inventor the right to a patent. The invention should be capable of commercial application.
Ques. What leads to invention and discovery? [1 marks]
Ans. Experiments contribute to the invention. The act entails the creation of something new. Exploring our surroundings leads to discoveries. The act entails discovering something that already existed.
Ques. How can inventions be protected? [3 marks]
Ans. Consider two popular tactics used by amateur and professional inventors to protect their interests. To begin, you can submit a provisional patent application (if your invention is patentable). Second, a nondisclosure agreement might be used (regardless of whether it is patentable).
Ques. Why do we need to protect your invention? [3 marks]
Ans. If you do not patent your idea or invention, someone else will duplicate it and sell it. As a result, you will face market competition. If that individual applies a patent for the product, you may also lose the right to compete. If this occurs, all of your efforts and money will be wasted. So, it should be recommended to file a patent when you invent something new.
Ques. Why discovery is not patentable? [3 marks]
Ans. The reason that discovery is not patentable under the Act is that the discovery of a new form, substance, or method is not a new thing. It already existed in nature, hence it cannot be considered a new creation because it did not entail any imaginative steps, abilities, or so on.
The mere discovery of anything that already exists freely in nature is a discovery, not an invention, and so cannot be patented until it is applied in the creation of an object or substance. For example, the discovery of a microorganism is not patentable.
Ques. What is a Patent? Discuss its types. [5 marks]
Ans. A patent is a statutory right for an invention awarded by the government to the patentee for a set length of time in exchange for full disclosure of his creation so that no one else creates, uses, sells, or imports the patented product or process for creating that product without his approval.
Patents are classified into three types: utility, design, and plant. Utility patents may be issued to anybody who invents or discovers a new and useful process, the machine, object of manufacture, substance composition, or any new beneficial improvement.
A design patent is a type of legal protection provided to a practical item's aesthetic design. A sort of industrial design right is a design patent. Design patents protect ornamental designs in jewelry, furniture, beverage containers, and computer icons, among other things.
A plant patent is an intellectual property right that prevents others from copying, selling, or using the main qualities of a new and original plant. By restricting rivals from utilizing the plant, a plant patent might assist an innovator to obtain more income throughout the patent protection term.
Ques. State the main differences between discovery and Invention. [5 marks]
Ans. The main differences between discovery and invention are the following:
- The invention is the construction or design of an object or a method that has never existed before, based on one's thoughts and advances. The process of seeking and studying something that previously exists but was never recognized is referred to as discovery.
- The subject is discovered either on purpose or by accident, whereas the subject is conceived on purpose in the case of the invention.
- Natural occurrences lead to discovery. An invention is a scientific or human-made artifact, technology, or method.
- Discovery entails exploration, invention entails experimenting.
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