LEGL 226 Chapter Notes - Chapter 41: Patent Cooperation Treaty, Patent, Leahy-Smith America Invents Act
Document Summary
Patent-a grant by the government permitting the inventor exclusive use of an invention for a specified period. Design patents- protects the appearance, not the function, of an item. Design patents are granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article. Plant patents- anyone who creates a new type of plant can patent it, provided that the inventor is able to reproduce it asexually through grafting, for instance, rather than by planting its seeds. Utility patents- whenever people use the word patent by itself, they are referring to a utility patent. In fact, about 94 percent of all patents are utility patents. Utility patents are available to those who invent (or significantly improve) any of the following: A hydraulic jack used to lift heavy aircraft. A prewired, portable wall panel for use in large, open-plan offices. The chemical 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid used as a plant growth regulator.
