Patents

Abstract This chapter describes the four different types of patent applications that can be filed, the three different types of patents that can be obtained, and what rights are associated with the grant of a patent. It then focuses on topics such as inventions that qualify for patent protection and procedures that are involved in obtaining a patent. The discussion of patents presented in the chapter applies only to U.S. patents and principally to utility patents. For an invention to be patentable, it must meet several requirements set up to ensure that patents are not issued irresponsibly. Once an executed patent application has been received by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the patent application is said to be pending, and a serial number and filing date are assigned to it by the USPTO. Patent rights cannot be enforced against infringers until a patent has issued.