UTILITY AND DESIGN PATENTS

A UTILITY PATENT

If you invent or discover any process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any improvements thereof, your invention or discovery may be protected by a utility patent. A utility patent, does not protect appearance features, but instead, protects structure or utilitarian features that are both new and useful.

A DESIGN PATENT

If you are a mechanical designer of articles of manufacture, the unique ornamental nature of your designs may be protected by a design patent. A design patent, unlike a utility patent, does not protect the structure or utilitarian features of an article, but instead, such a patent, protects the appearance of an article.

For Further Information on Patents

What is a Patent
How to Obtain a Patent
Different Kinds of Patents
More on Patent Types
Prosecuting Patent Applications
Patentability Search
How are Intellectual Property Rights Transferred
Protecting Intellectual Property Rights Outside the United States

This page is sponsored by Jerry R. Potts a registered patent attorney providing Distinctively Better Service to the entrepreneur, individual inventor and small business client.

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