What is a patent?
A patent is a right of ownership granted to a person by the government to exclude others from making or selling the claimed invention for a period of twenty years.
You have an idea for an invention, or have gone so far as to create a prototype. Before marketing your invention, you will need to determine if your invention has already been patented.
There are three main types of patents:
- Utility: granted for the function of something that is mechanical, electrical, chemical, compositional, or any combination of these
- Design: granted solely on the look or appearance of something
- Plant: granted for unique, asexually reproduced plants
See general information concerning patents (including how to file an application) and 7-step U.S. patent search strategy, by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.