What constitutes patent infringement?

Patent infringement occurs when an individual or entity uses, makes, sells, or imports an invention that is protected by a patent without obtaining permission from the patent holder. This is rooted in patent law, which grants the patent owner exclusive rights to their invention for a certain period of time. These rights allow the owner to control the use of the patented invention and benefit commercially from their innovation.

Option B correctly captures this definition by encompassing all the actions that can lead to infringement. It recognizes that any unauthorized activity involving the patented invention—whether it is using the invention, manufacturing it, selling it, or importing it into a jurisdiction—can violate the patent holder’s rights.

The other options, while related to intellectual property concerns, do not encompass the full scope of patent infringement as defined by law. Copying a design may lead to copyright issues rather than patent infringement unless it directly involves a patented innovation. Providing unauthorized support isn't directly related to the concept of infringing on a patent, as it does not involve the unauthorized use of the patented invention itself. Lastly, publishing patent information is typically not an infringement, as patents are public documents and meant to inform the public of the inventor's rights, unless it violates confidentiality agreements or trade secrets.