WHAT IS A PATENT?
A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to the inventor by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
There are three types of patents:

1. Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement of a process, machine, etc. Utility patent protection begins on the patent application date and continues for 20 years. Utility patents are infringed by making, using or selling the patented inventions.
2. Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture. Design patent protection begins on the patent grant date and continues for 14 years. Design patents are infringed by making, using or selling articles with designs similar to the patented ones.
3. Plant patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.