This paper briefly talks about the origins of the U.S. patent system and then describes the underlying basis for patenting
laws, explains how patents differ from copyrights and trademarks, looks at current
considerations in patenting law, and describes some of the global issues regarding patents, as well as issues between the United States and Japan concerning patents. Theoretical Basis for Patent and
copyright Grants Differences between Patent and Copyright Current Considerations Total Patents Issued Problems with Patents Global Patent Environment US-Japan Patent Issues