What is the difference between a product and a process patent?

Product and process patents may sound similar, but they are two distinct types of intellectual property protection. A product patent is a form of patent that covers an invention that is a physical item or object. The invention must be novel, non-obvious, and useful for it to receive a patent. For example, a new type of bicycle would be considered a product patent. A process patent, on the other hand, covers a particular method of doing something. This patent is usually associated with a manufacturing process rather than a physical item. For example, a new process for creating a type of medical device would be eligible for a process patent. Overall, the main difference between a product and process patent in North Carolina is the scope of protection. A product patent covers a tangible item or object with a specific physical shape or form, whereas a process patent protects the principles of a process or method without covering any physical creation.

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