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Patent
Documents conferring the exclusive right to make, use, and sell an invention for a limited period. Ideas are not eligible; neither is anything not new. In the UK, patents are granted by the Patent Office and, under the Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988, confer the sole right to make, use, license, or sell an invention for 20 years after registration.
The purpose of patenting is to encourage business to take the risk of breaking new ground; it also has the effect of spreading technological knowledge, because the details of the invention have to be made public.
© Research Machines plc 2008. All rights reserved. Helicon Publishing is a division of Research Machines plc.
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Malta Flag
The George Cross was awarded by King George VI and originally appeared in a small blue canton. The present design dates from 1964 when the islands gained independence. Effective date: 21 September 1964.
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