Legal Definitions - utility patent

A utility patent is a type of intellectual property protection granted for an invention that is new, useful, and non-obvious. It specifically safeguards the functional aspects of an invention – how it works, what it does, or how it is made. This can include a new process, a machine, a manufactured article, or a composition of matter (like a new chemical compound). Unlike a design patent, which protects the aesthetic appearance of an item, a utility patent focuses on the practical function and utility of the invention.

Here are some examples to illustrate how a utility patent applies:

• Example 1: A New Machine

  Imagine an engineer invents a new type of robotic arm for surgical procedures. This arm uses a unique combination of sensors and actuators that allow for unprecedented precision and stability, significantly reducing human error during delicate operations.

  A utility patent would protect the specific mechanical and electronic design of this robotic arm, including the novel way its components interact to achieve its precise movements and stability. It protects the functionality and operation of the machine, not just its appearance.

• Example 2: An Innovative Process

  A food scientist develops a groundbreaking method for preserving fresh produce that extends its shelf life by several weeks without using chemical additives. This method involves a unique sequence of temperature changes and atmospheric gas compositions during packaging.

  This innovative preservation process – the specific steps and conditions used to treat the produce – would be eligible for a utility patent. The patent would protect the sequence of actions and the underlying scientific principles that make the method effective.

• Example 3: A Novel Composition of Matter

  A pharmaceutical company synthesizes a novel chemical compound that, when incorporated into a new drug, effectively treats a rare autoimmune disease by targeting a previously unknown biological pathway.

  The unique chemical structure and properties of this newly created compound, and its specific application as a therapeutic agent, could be protected by a utility patent. The patent would cover the composition of the matter itself, recognizing its new and useful properties.