A Patent, An Intellectual Property, An Intangible Asset [Patent Reviews]

In the United States, there are three types of patents-utility, design, and plant. A utility patent protects the way an article is used and works. See 35 U.S.C. ("Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title."); see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 8,120,933 ('933 patent). A design patent protects the way an article looks. See 35 U.S.C. ("Whoever invents any new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title."); see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. D48,160. A plant patent protects distinct and new varieties of plants that have been asexually reproduced. See 35 U.S.C. X161 ("Whoever invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant, including cultivated sports, mutants, hybrids, and newly found seedlings, other than a tuber propagated plant or a plant found in an uncultivated state, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title."); see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. P9,753