Which term protects a new, useful, and non-obvious invention for a limited time?

Which term protects a new, useful, and non-obvious invention for a limited time?

• A. Trademark
• B. Trade secret
• C. Copyright
• D. Patent

Answer: (D)

Patents protect a new, useful, and non-obvious invention for a limited time. To qualify, an invention must be novel, have some practical utility, and be non-obvious to someone skilled in the field. In exchange for public disclosure, the inventor obtains exclusive rights for a finite period (typically 20 years from filing for utility patents). This protection lets the inventor exclude others from making, using, or selling the invention during that time. This is different from trademarks, which protect brand identifiers; copyrights, which protect original works of authorship; and trade secrets, which protect confidential information kept secret.

Patents protect a new, useful, and non-obvious invention for a limited time. To qualify, an invention must be novel, have some practical utility, and be non-obvious to someone skilled in the field. In exchange for public disclosure, the inventor obtains exclusive rights for a finite period (typically 20 years from filing for utility patents). This protection lets the inventor exclude others from making, using, or selling the invention during that time. This is different from trademarks, which protect brand identifiers; copyrights, which protect original works of authorship; and trade secrets, which protect confidential information kept secret.