What is a United States Patent?
A patent is a grant from the U.S. government to a person (or a company) that enables the owner to prevent others from making, using, and selling a patented invention. As such, if an invention has commercial value, a quality patent that properly ‘claims’ the invention can be of significant value. It may be noted that the term ‘patent’ most often actually means a utility patent, which protects the structure, function, and or composition of an invention. United States patents are awarded to the true and original inventors if it is determined that the invention is useful, novel/new, and not an obvious variation or combination of a known equivalent. Accordingly, an inventor files a utility patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to find out if a patent will be awarded. If international protection is desired, a PCT type of application may be filed.
