UTILITY PATENTS are granted for inventions or discoveries of any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof.

DESIGN PATENTS are granted for the invention of a new, original and ornamental design for an article of manufacture. In this case, the appearance of the article is protected. (This is very seldom suggested).

PLANT PATENTS are granted for the invention or discovery and asexual reproduction of any distinct and new variety of plant other than a tuber- propagated plant, or for a plant found in an uncultivated state.

The terms "PATENT PENDING" and "PATENT APPLIED FOR" are used by manufacturers or sellers of an article to inform the public that bona fide application for a patent on that article is presently on file at the United States Patent & Trademark Office. The law imposes a strict fine on those who use this, or any other intellectual property term, falsely.

A TRADEMARK or SERVICE MARK is granted nationally to manufacturers and merchants for company and product names, slogans, words, symbols, logos, or the combination of feature for a period of time. Trademark and service Marks may be renewed upon their expiration.

COPYRIGHTS are forms of legal protection issued by the United States Library of Congress for specified time periods in various categories of published and nonpublished original works of authorship which includes: literary, dramatic, musical, visual arts, computer software and certain other works.

Because it is desirable to attain the best legal protection in the broadest allowable terms, the Patent Search should be viewed as another research tool along with the technical and marketing considerations of the new product idea. Upon a final examination of all pertinent information, a Registered Patent Attorney or Patent Agent will be retained to draft, file and prosecute the proper legal protection for the idea.

Sample of Statement of Confidentiality and Non-Use
Disclosure Form Sample