3. Intellectual property, patents, and a patent number off your own kit

What this is made of

• 3(a). What intellectual property is, and who protects it
• 3(b). The components of a patent, and the types available
• 3(c). Find a patent number on camping gear YOU HAVE USED, and read the patent
• 3(d). What patent infringement means

Where this step comes from

1. Inventing Merit Badge Requirements (Merit Badge Hub, last modified 2025-12-31), Requirement 3 · Part (c) requires a camping item the Scout has used, and a parent or guardian's permission to research the patent online.