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If you have created something new and useful, you would want to sell it yourself and make some money.  You would want to protect it from being duplicated or copied without your permission. Filing for a patent gives you that protection. But what is a patent? A patent is a legal document that gives you, the creator, the right to stop others from making or selling your creation or invention. 

However, patents come with time limits. There are three different types of patents, and all have time limits.

-A utility patent is a patent that is awarded to inventions that are useful.

-A plant patent is awarded to an inventor who has discovered a new kind of plant.

Both the utility patent and the plant patent are valid or good for a limited time period starting on the date the patent is issued and lasting until 20 years after the filing date. For example, if you filed for a patent on February 1, 2007, you would continue to hold the patent until February 2027. 

-A design patent is an award to an inventor who designs jewelry, furniture or any other kind of design. It covers the appearance of something.  The design patent is valid for 14 years from the date the patent is given.

A patent cannot be renewed. Once the time limit is up, anyone may use the property freely. It is made available to everyone in the public domain. 

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