If you are an inventor and have invented a brilliant product but people start using you invention without paying you anything, wouldn't you be disheartened? Of course, you will be; anyone will be. In order to prevent such unscrupulous people from taking your rights away patent laws how to patent an idea provide patent protection. After you get a patent for your product, you have the right to its exclusive enjoyment for a certain period of time. During this period anyone and everyone who uses your invention has to pay you a royalty.