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What are the major differences between the U.S. and Canadian patent systems?
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The major differences between the United States and Canadian patent systems primarily center on the types of patent protection that are available and the process for obtaining a patent. In the United States, patents are granted to holders of inventions that are deemed to be novel, non-obvious and useful to the public, while in Canada patents are granted to those who can demonstrate an inventive concept or process. In addition, the application process for a patent in the United States is more rigorous and expensive than in Canada, with a higher burden of proof for inventors. Furthermore, in the United States a patent can be placed on a product for up to 20 years, while in Canada it is only for a maximum of 17 years.