Thanks to the progress of technology, our life has become very convenient. For example, the Internet enables us to know what is happening in any country in real time at our own home, and the spread of the mobile phone enables us to contact anyone when needed while we are out. The Internet and the mobile phone are just some examples of inventions achieved by a long succession of our wisdom, research and investigation.
The word "invention" generally refers to an invented product. However, "invention" legally refers to an immaterial technical idea, and what is created as a result of realization of the "invention" becomes available in the market as an invented product.

Since this technical idea is a type of information, once the information is leaked, other people can pretend that they themselves invented the idea. Once the invented product becomes available in the market, it is also possible for other people to examine the product and sell a substantially same product. In such case, they are able to sell it with lower prices because they saved costs for research and development for the invention.

However, if nothing was done against the plagiarism of ideas or the effortless imitation of other people’s products, no new inventions would be made and technological development would stagnate. We thus need legal systems that protect inventions as an immaterial property. We have Patent Law in this legal system, wherein a patent right as a property right protects our inventions.

In order to obtain the patent right, a patent application must be filed and granted with the Patent Office. If a patent right is obtained, the right holder can suspend the sales of another party who imitates and sells their invention, as well as demand compensation for incurred damages. Accordingly, the patent right is an effective claim for protection of your own invention.