A government-granted exclusive right that gives an inventor the sole authority to make, use, sell, or license an invention for a limited period, typically 20 years.
What Is a Patent?
A patent is an intellectual property right granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that gives the inventor exclusive rights to their invention for a limited time. In exchange for public disclosure of the invention, the patent holder receives a legal monopoly that prevents others from making, using, selling, or importing the patented invention without permission.
## Types of Patents
- **Utility patents** protect new and useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, or compositions of matter (20-year term)
- **Design patents** protect new, original, and ornamental designs for articles of manufacture (15-year term)
- **Plant patents** protect new and distinct plant varieties that are asexually reproduced (20-year term)
## Patentability Requirements
To obtain a patent, an invention must be novel (new and not previously known), nonobvious (not an obvious modification of existing technology to a person skilled in the field), useful (having practical utility), and adequately described in the application (enabling others to reproduce the invention). The patent application process is complex and typically takes two to four years. Patent protection is territorial, meaning a U.S. patent only provides protection within the United States.