What is the difference between a patent and a utility patent?

Patents and utility patents are two different types of intellectual property laws in the state of Louisiana. A patent is a type of legal protection given to inventors for their invention, which can be anything from a process or a machine. It gives an inventor exclusive rights to use, market, and sell their invention. A utility patent is a specific type of patent that covers the functional and structural features of an invention. This type of patent covers electric machines, methods of doing business, industrial processes, computer software, or a new material. It is different from a patent because it covers the functional aspects of an invention, rather than the physical invention itself. By getting a utility patent, an inventor can protect their intellectual property from being copied or used by someone else without their permission. Utility patents typically last for 20 years, while traditional patents may last for 14 years or more. A utility patent requires additional paperwork in order to follow the law, including a detailed description of the invention. Additionally, applicants must also be able to prove that their invention is novel and that it provides a non-obvious benefit to society. Overall, the main difference between a patent and a utility patent is that the latter covers the functional aspects of an invention, whereas the former covers the physical features of an invention. Both types of patents provide exclusive rights for inventors to protect their creative works and reap the financial benefits of their invention.

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