The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issues three different kinds of patents.
- Utility Patents
Utility Patents are given to be used for commercial purposes to the inventions of utility products for example a tyre, dishwasher which will be used by masses. Nevertheless, it is important that every invention that meets the “statutory subject matter” criteria passes the first qualifying test of getting a patent. But it must overcome several additional hurdles before the USPTO will issue a patent.
It can be used for commercial purposes
- Design Patents
The law requires that the design be novel, non-obvious, and non-functional. Examples: new shape for a smartphone or a pill bottle.
iii. Plant Patents
Plants may qualify for a patent if they are both novel and nonobvious. However, these are the issued less frequently.