Patents are exclusive rights to make, sell, or use an invention in a country. The workings of the invention must be outlined along with how it can be applied and constructed so that others can therefore make use of the invention. This disclosure gives rights to the inventor for a period of typically twenty years after applying for the patent. Patents can be applied for in more than one country. However, they are very expensive. Therefore, someone may not wish to apply for a patent unless they feel they can make a lot of money from their invention. An individual may also sell his invention or can license other individuals to do so. Patents cannot be obtained upon the idea or suggestion of something such as a new machine but it must be actually described. The invention must also be new to warrant being patented and cannot be something that is already known about or used by others.