Utility Patents - Part I
A utility patent serves an important purpose. This article will go over that purpose and how it affects you.
The utility patent; this is what most people think of when they think of patents at all. Utility patents are awarded in the case of inventors who have designed a new machine, or discovered a more useful way to do something. A utility patent is also given for a new type of “matter” which is invented. The most common examples of utility patents are those filed by pharmaceutical companies for a new medication. Another example of a utility patent would be a new computer system and all the hardware parts associated with it. Overall, a utility patent is more concerned with the function or the job of the invention. The function of the invention should be thoroughly described on the application. A utility patent is granted for a period of twenty years from approval of the patent.
