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

The difference between a patent and a utility patent comes down to what each type of patent protects. A patent is a form of intellectual property law that grants the owner exclusive rights to a product or invention. A patent gives a person the right to prevent others from making, using, or selling their invention, or from importing the invention into the United States. A utility patent is a more specific type of patent that protects inventions that have a useful purpose or function. This type of patent can cover items such as a new machine, a new process, a chemical composition, or an article of manufacture. It’s important to remember that patents are only applicable in the United States, and specific rules and regulations vary from state to state. In South Carolina, patent laws are administered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. All patents, including utility patents, must be registered with the USPTO before they are granted protection. Additionally, patents have a limited lifetime, with the protection usually ending between 15 and 20 years after the patent is granted. It is important to keep these facts in mind when considering how to protect your invention in South Carolina.

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