What is a utility patent?

A utility patent is a type of patent that is issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to protect inventions in the United States. It gives the inventor exclusive right to make, use, and sell the invention for a certain period of time. It is the most common type of patent issued in the United States covering any new and useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, or composition of matter. Utility patents cover the functionality of an invention—the way it works, what it does, and how it does it. Utility patents are often referred to as “invention patents” because they protect the creative product of inventors. Utility patents may also provide protection for unique design features of a product. In the State of Washington, utility patent protection lasts for twenty years from the date the patent is issued. During that time, the patent holder has the exclusive right to make, use, and sell the invention. If someone else attempts to make, use, or sell the invention, they can be held liable for patent infringement. Utility patents are one of three types of patents issued by the USPTO. The other two types are design patents and plant patents. Design patents cover the ornamental characteristics of an invention, such as the shape or design of the item. Plant patents cover new varieties of plants that have been cultivated by humans.

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