The rights that are given to an inventor allowing them to forbid all the others from using, making, and selling their invention for up till a period of 20 years is known as a patent. The U.S Patent and Trademark Office has the responsibility of approving patent applications, so the ideas of businesses, companies, and people are protected from others wanting to steal them. In case of approval, the patent holder will be the only person who can use, make, and sell the process, product, or idea that has been made by them. All other people and companies are prohibited to use until given permission.
Different types of patents are granted for the protection of different types of inventions. Multiple services offer patents for companies because they are an important part of maintaining innovation, not only in America but all around the world as well. If you want to know about the types of patents, you have come to the right place.
Different types of patents
Different types of patent applications exist because each protects a different type of product, innovation, or idea. Broadly, there are some basic types of patents that you should know about.
- Utility patent
Utility patents are for those individuals or companies who create or discover a useful and new process, a manufactured article, a machine, or any useful and new improvement. This includes new technologies the microwave cloth dryer, hoverboard type skateboard, and the artificial heart.
- Provisional patent
This patent application does not turn into an issued patent. Nevertheless, with the correct circumstances this provisional patent becomes a useful tool for these inventors. This patent is filed before mentioning anything about the idea, product, or invention, before public use, and before putting it up for sale. This is a less formal patent that shows that the inventor had possession of the idea, product, or invention.
- Design patents
This design patent is offered for the invention of original and new ornamental designs of the manufactured articles. This patent type provides protection on the appearance of the product, and not on the utilitarian features or the structure. Design patents, nevertheless, are often difficult to look for because there are few words used. Recently, design patents are used by software companies for the protection of user interface elements such as the touchscreen device shapes.
- Plant patent
As it may sound, the plant patent is a sort of protection for new plant kinds that are produced using cuttings or such nonsexual means. This patent focuses on conventional horticulture and does not include genetically modified organisms. Botanists who are involved in creating and grafting new hybrid plant types are eligible to apply for this plant patent. Some examples of this include drought-tolerant corn, and smooth angel rose.
Whatever patent application you are writing, you must consider the protection that is being offered. Described above are the main patent applications that are offered. Make sure to use them for the protection of your inventions and get a better return on the investments.