By Janet Tan

Patents allow an inventor safety against infringement of his rights over the invention as well as the process of manufacture of the product by prevention of its unlawful use for commercial purposes, with the aid of a legal framework. It allows the inventor to take any infringer to court for violating his sole right over the use of the invention as recognised by the state.

There are three main kinds of patents. These are design patents, utility patents and plant patents.

A design patent protects the way the product looks and is designed. Thus, it safeguards the shape, configuration and even adornments of the product. This patent is often used by companies that are engaged in enhancing the existing products instead of coming up with new products entirely.

A utility patent on the other hand, protects any new and useful process, product, composition or a significant improvement in a product. This patent safeguards the inventor's interest in the nature and working of a product. Utility patent is more used than other kinds of patents and it can either be sought separately or together with a design patent.

The third major kind of patent is related to the protection given for invention of a distinct plant variety that is asexually produced and is new and unknown in the field. It provides the inventor with a safeguard against unscrupulous persons, who might try to produce or sell a part or whole of the plant.

However, in addition to these categories there is a fourth category of patents, known as provisional patents that are granted for a temporary period, if the inventor has a severe time or resource crunch to file a proper patent application. In these cases, you are allowed to file a more detailed patent application at a later date, though it does not allow you to make radical changes from your claim in the provisional patent. This patent is used in cases when you are approaching the completion of the development of your product.

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