Fragrance producers continue to search for non-naturally occurring fragrance compounds for a number of reasons: minimizing costs, countering the possible shortage of naturally occurring fragrances due to environmental change, and satisfying consumer demand for new and unique fragrances. Another particularly important reason for developing non-naturally occurring fragrance compounds--that is, fragrance compounds that are made in the laboratory--is that they are eligible for patent protection. In the United States, a patent that is issued on a fragrance compound that meets patentability requirements grants the patent owner the right to make, use and sell the fragrance, as well as to exclude competitors from making, using and selling it, for a term of 20 years from the filing date of the patent.
