What are the different types of patents?

Patents are a form of Intellectual Property Law that help protect an inventor’s ideas and inventions. In Washington, there are three types of patents: utility, design, and plant patents. Utility patents are the most common and are typically awarded for inventions that are new and non-obvious. In order to qualify for a utility patent, the invention must have a new and useful purpose. A utility patent will protect an inventor’s idea for up to 20 years. Design patents are awarded for inventions that are both ornamental and unique. These patents cover the design of an item, not its function. Design patents will protect an inventor’s idea for up to 15 years. Finally, plant patents are awarded for asexually reproduced plants that are both new and non-obvious. Unlike design and utility patents, plant patents can only be applied to living organisms. A plant patent will protect an inventor’s idea for up to 20 years. Patents are an important form of Intellectual Property Law and can be a huge benefit to inventors as they protect their ideas and inventions from being copied or used without permission. In order to qualify for a patent in Washington, an invention must fit into one of the three patent categories mentioned above.

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What are the different types of patents?

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