Legal Definitions - manufacture

In patent law, a manufacture refers to a tangible, human-made item or product that possesses a distinct and definable physical structure. It is something created or built through human effort or machinery, as opposed to an object that occurs naturally. This category of invention is eligible for patent protection if it demonstrates novelty and inventiveness, representing a "thing" that has been designed and produced.

• Example 1: A newly designed drone frame.

  Imagine an aerospace company develops a drone frame made from a unique lightweight alloy, featuring an innovative modular design for easy component replacement. This drone frame is a manufacture because it is a physical object, entirely conceived and constructed by humans, with a specific, engineered structure and composition that does not exist in nature. It is a product of human ingenuity, not a natural formation.

• Example 2: A specialized water filtration cartridge.

  Consider a company that invents a new type of water filter cartridge containing multiple layers of synthetic materials arranged in a specific sequence to remove microplastics more effectively. This cartridge is a manufacture. It is a tangible item, designed and assembled by people using various materials to create a functional, structured product. Its form and function are entirely human-made, distinguishing it from natural filtration systems.

• Example 3: An advanced prosthetic limb.

  A medical technology firm develops a prosthetic leg that incorporates a novel hydraulic system and custom-molded socket. This prosthetic limb qualifies as a manufacture. It is a complex physical object, meticulously engineered and constructed by humans from various components to serve a specific purpose. Its intricate design and assembly are entirely artificial, making it a human-made "thing" with a definable structure.