A patent basically gives the legal right to one person to exclude others from using, making, offering to sell, importing the patented invention, or using the invention.

There are three kinds of patents, there is patent called a utility patent, another one called a plant patent , and a third called a design patent. A utility patent is granted 20 years for something new, useful, and non obvious products and processes. Plant patents are granted for 20 years and are literally for actual plants that are discovered and are asexually reproducing and distinct. Design patents run for 14 years and are granted for new original and ornamental designs for articles of manufacture.

United States Code – Title 35 Part Two

Part two of the United States code on obtaining a patent is quite lengthy. It starts off describing the different criteria that must be met by the invention before it can be patented. This section of Title 35 also deals with the various types of patents available, along with how to submit an application to the Patent Office. Part two of the patent laws also contains information on the guidelines used in assessing your application, and the process involved in issuing the patent.

United States Code – Title 35 Part Three

This article will break down some of the laws that a patent carries.

An Overview of Patent Laws

These laws are difficult for a non-lawyer to understand, but not impossible.

The patent laws administered by the Patent and Trademark Office are contained within Title 35 of the United States Code. The USPTO oversee the laws dedicated to patents. Title 35 of the United States Code is further divided into four parts:

• Title 35 - Part I – provides details on information pertaining to the Patent and Trademark Office, and its role in granting patents.