C-IPR-MCQ-4

1. What is the purpose of conducting a patent search before filing a patent application?

   a) To determine the market potential of the invention

   b) To ensure the invention is novel and not already patented

   c) To estimate the maintenance fees for the patent

   d) To identify potential licensees for the invention

   **Answer: b) To ensure the invention is novel and not already patented**

2. How long is the typical term of patent protection from the filing date?

   a) 5 years

   b) 10 years

   c) 15 years

   d) 20 years

   **Answer: d) 20 years**

3. What is the primary responsibility of the patent owner in enforcing their patent rights?

   a) Paying maintenance fees to the patent office

   b) Conducting regular patent searches

   c) Taking legal action against infringers

   d) Granting licenses to third parties

   **Answer: c) Taking legal action against infringers**

4. What is the main purpose of patent licensing?

   a) To prevent others from using the patented invention

   b) To generate revenue by allowing others to use the patented invention

   c) To transfer ownership of the patent to another party

   d) To extend the term of patent protection

   **Answer: b) To generate revenue by allowing others to use the patented invention**

5. How often must maintenance fees be paid to keep a patent in force?

   a) Monthly

   b) Annually

   c) Every 5 years

   d) Every 10 years

   **Answer: b) Annually**

6. What does the term "patent prosecution" refer to in the patent process?

   a) Taking legal action against infringers

   b) Responding to objections raised by the patent office

   c) Drafting the patent application

   d) Conducting a patent search

   **Answer: b) Responding to objections raised by the patent office**

7. Which international treaty provides a streamlined process for seeking patent protection in multiple countries?

   a) TRIPS Agreement

   b) Paris Convention

   c) Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)

   d) Berne Convention

   **Answer: c) Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)**

8. What is the term used to describe the legal action taken by a patent owner against an infringer?

   a) Patent search

   b) Patent filing

   c) Patent litigation

   d) Patent licensing

   **Answer: c) Patent litigation**

9. What is the purpose of patent portfolio management?

   a) To enforce patent rights

   b) To generate revenue through licensing

   c) To strategically manage and maintain a collection of patents

   d) To conduct regular patent searches

   **Answer: c) To strategically manage and maintain a collection of patents**

10. What criteria must an invention meet to be granted a patent?

    a) Novelty, non-obviousness, and profitability

    b) Novelty, industrial applicability, and technical feasibility

    c) Novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability

    d) Novelty, creativity, and market demand

    **Answer: c) Novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability**