Can you Patent an Idea

Can You Patent an Idea?

Can you patent an idea? Not usually, but, yes, technically, with constructed reduction to practice and only if the idea is patent eligible subject matter, useful, novel, non-obvious, and a complete and proper patent application is filed and allowed; then, yes, you can patent an idea for an invention without having the actual invention. Patenting an idea is not a recommended best practice, but it is possible.