How are inventions born at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva?
An invention often begins with an observation: a problem in everyday life or an unmet need. This phase makes it possible to form an intuition: something can be improved, rethought or invented. At the Exhibition, 20% of the projects come from individual initiatives and 80% from universities or research centres.
Carried out by multidisciplinary teams, these projects explore new materials, develop innovative processes or test hypotheses arising from research. They provide knowledge, methods and tools, while also nurturing ideation, the creative process of generating and refining ideas.
From idea to realisation
Next comes the design phase, whether the inventor works alone or as part of a team. The idea takes shape through sketches or digital models, then becomes concrete through the choice of materials and processes. The invention is then put to the test through prototyping in order to test, adjust and demonstrate its feasibility.
Protecting your invention
At the same time, it is essential to check that the invention does not already exist. If it is novel, it can be protected by a patent granting exclusive exploitation rights, generally for twenty years. To be patentable, an invention must meet three criteria: novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability. A patent (or a pending application) is a requirement for exhibiting at the Exhibition.
The keys to intellectual property at the Inventions Geneva
To support you, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) will be present every day to explain how patents work and will also offer a workshop on copyright in the age of social media and AI, helping participants understand how to use images, videos, music and digital content legally.