What do utility patents protect?

Utility patents provide protection for new and useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, or compositions of matter. This means that if an invention falls into any of these categories and meets the criteria of novelty, non-obviousness, and utility, it can be protected under a utility patent. This type of patent is essential for inventors who create functional devices or processes that represent advancements in technology or industry, as it grants them exclusive rights to their invention for a period of 20 years from the filing date.

In contrast, ornamental designs are protected by design patents, which cover the aesthetic aspect of a product rather than its functional features. Plant varieties are protected by plant patents, which relate specifically to new varieties of plants that have been asexually reproduced. Finally, while manufacturing processes can indeed be protected under utility patents if they contribute to the creation of a new product or improve an existing one, the unique focus of utility patents encompasses a broader range of functional innovations, making the answer centered on processes, machines, and articles of manufacture the most accurate description.