What is a Patent?
A patent is a type of legal protection for inventions and designs. When you have a patent, it means that other people cannot copy, use, sell, or bring your invention into the country without asking you first. If someone tries to use your invention without your permission, you can take them to court.
Different Types of Patents
There are three different kinds of patents you can get in the United States:
- Utility Patents: These protect how an invention works, what it does, and what it creates. Most inventions fall under this category.
- Design Patents: These protect the way an invention looks – its unique shape or appearance.
- Plant Patents: These protect new types of plants that someone has invented or discovered.
What Can You Get a Patent For?
Almost anything invented by a person can be patented! But there are a few rules:
- It has to be useful: Your invention needs to do something specific. It doesn’t have to be something everyone wants, but it has to work the way you say it does.
- It has to be new: Your invention can’t be something that everyone already knows about or that already exists.
- It can’t be obvious: Your invention can’t be just a simple change to something that already exists. It has to be a unique and creative idea.
What Can’t You Get a Patent For?
Some things cannot be patented:
- Math formulas
- Laws of nature (like gravity)
- Abstract ideas (like a method of memorizing information)
- Things found in nature (like minerals found in the earth)
Why Are Patents Important?
Patents give you the exclusive right to your invention for 20 years! That means you have control over how it’s made, used, and sold. This encourages people to come up with new and creative ideas.
Do you still have questions about patents? A patent attorney can help you understand the process and protect your invention. Book a consultation with us today!