Patents
Patents
A US patent is a grant from the Government that gives the owner the right to exclude others from making, using, selling, offering for sale, and importing an invention. US patents are issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Other countries have their own patent offices and their patents carry equivalent rights.
In the United States three different types of patents are granted based on the type of invention.
- Utility Patents may be granted for any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof.
- Plant Patents may be granted for any distinct and new variety of plant.
- Design Patents cover new, original, and ornamental designs for an article of manufacture.
For more information on patents access the United States Patent & Trademark Office, World Intellectual Property Organization, or patent office of individual countries.
This page was last updated Tuesday, November 16, 2010
