Can you patent something illegal?

If I take something that already exists, but I make it better, can I patent it? Do I have to pay the creator something for improving on the idea? What if the creator is no longer alive? How long will the patent process take, and how much? ( I've heard...

We have a patent pending on a highly confidential technology. The technology is still under development and coming along very well. We also have 3rd party independent technology folks from very reputable backgrounds to verify the technology in the patent...

OK, so there is something i was thinking about inventing but i did some searching and found a similar product that serves the same purpose. I have heard that if you can better the product or make something similar you could still patent your idea. So...

I have had an issue with a cosmetic defect on my car for a while. Nothing worked at removing this defect until I stumbled across a product that was used for something totally different. After applying the product to the area of concern, I realized that...

Can an idea, lets say I had this originally, of printing on the back of a sweatshirt. Could I have patented that initially? Or the only thing patent'able would be the "type of unique" ink or/and the specific design? I have an idea but it doesn...

My sister in law is trying to patent my father's BBQ sauce and BBQ recipe. My father is deceased, and I want to know is it legal to do this without mine and my other brothers' permission?

I have an idea for a device which combines the functionality of many existing devices. Can something like this be patented? I have heard jokes about how people have slapped clocks onto old things and called them new. Just wondering there was a grain...