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

Patents and utility patents are both forms of intellectual property protection recognized under Washington law. A patent is the exclusive right given to an inventor to exploit their invention. This exclusive right may last for up to 20 years, and during that time, the inventor is allowed to sue anyone who attempts to infringe upon their patent. A utility patent is a type of patent that covers the function of an invention. This includes how the invention works and how it is used. Utility patents provide longer-term protection than ordinary patents, and are also more difficult to obtain. Utility patents can cover a wide range of inventions, from medical devices to computer software. The main difference between a patent and a utility patent is that the former covers the ideas and concepts of an invention, while the latter covers its use and function. Patents are generally easier to obtain than utility patents, and they usually provide a shorter period of protection. Utility patents provide longer-term protection and are more difficult to obtain, but they also give the inventor more control over how their invention is used.

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