Are there different types of patents?
Yes, the law provides for “utility,” “design,” and “plant” patents. A utility patent is what people usually think of as a patent, i.e., protection for something useful, such as a light bulb. A design patent covers only the appearance or ornamentation of an object. such as those for wallpaper, fabric, lamps, vases or other articles of manufacture. It is possible to obtain both a design patent and a utility patent for the same product; the utility patent would protect the new and useful functional aspects of the product, and the design patent would protect the ornamental aspects. A plant patent may protect asexually reproduced plants.
There are three types of patents. Utility Patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or compositions of matters, or any new useful improvement thereof. Design Patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture. Plant Patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plants. For more information on U.S. patents, please contact the Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) at: Inventors Assistance Center Telephone Numbers: 1-800-786-9199 & 703-308-HELP (4357) Website: www.uspto.
There are three different types of patents. The most common is the utility patent which applies to inventions which have a use, such as a safety pin or a new form of paint. Utility patents protect the functionality of an invention. Design patents protect the appearance of an object, and plant patents protect the appearance and color of plants such as flowers.
