Puerto Rico Patent Agreement refers to the legal framework governing intellectual property rights in Puerto Rico, a United States territory located in the Caribbean. It is primarily based on the federal patent laws of the United States but also incorporates certain specific provisions catered to Puerto Rico's unique legal and economic landscape. The Puerto Rico Patent Agreement is designed to provide inventors and businesses in Puerto Rico with a mechanism to protect their innovative creations, inventions, and discoveries. It establishes a system wherein patents can be obtained for new and useful processes, machines, materials, compositions of matter, and unique designs. There are several types of Puerto Rico Patent Agreements, including: 1. Utility Patents: These are the most common type of patent issued in Puerto Rico. Utility patents protect new and useful processes, machines, compositions of matter, or improvements thereof. They grant inventors exclusive rights to their invention for a period of 20 years from the date of filing. 2. Design Patents: Design patents protect ornamental designs of functional items. They cover the visual aesthetics or appearance of an invention rather than its functional aspects. Design patents have a duration of 15 years from the date of grant. 3. Plant Patents: Plant patents protect new varieties of plants that have been asexually reproduced. This type of patent is granted to individuals or entities who have discovered or invented a new and distinct plant variety. Plant patents also have a duration of 20 years from the date of filing. The Puerto Rico Patent Agreement ensures that inventors are granted exclusive rights to their inventions, encouraging innovation, economic growth, and technological advancements in the region. It also provides a legal framework for resolving patent disputes and enforcing patent rights within Puerto Rico. It is worth noting that the Puerto Rico Patent Agreement aligns closely with the U.S. federal patent system, ensuring inventors in Puerto Rico receive similar protection and rights as their counterparts on the mainland. However, specific provisions within the agreement cater to Puerto Rico's legal and economic environment, making it tailored to the needs and interests of inventors in the territory.