A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention. … In other words, patent protection means that the invention cannot be commercially made, used, distributed, imported, or sold by others without the patent owner’s consent.

A patent protects the discoveries and inventions, which are novel, non-obvious, and useful. There are three types of patents under the Patent Law of the United States, namely, utility patents, design patents, and plant patents. A patent gives you the right to stop others from copying, manufacturing, selling or importing your invention without your permission. See protecting intellectual property. You get protection for a pre-determined period, allowing you to keep competitors at bay.