Patents are usually based on a design, a process or a system of production. In the U.S., patent rights are protected by law once the patents are approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Many lawyers are skilled in the application process that must be undertaken to secure legal protection for patents. Most patents are either termed design patents or process patents, depending on the unique functionality. The idea behind protecting patents rights is to preserve potential monetary gain to the inventor or innovator, which naturally creates more desire among people to invent and innovate. During the time between when patents applications are filed and approved, inventors and innovators can use the term “patent pending” on all materials describing the idea, process or product.

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