South Dakota Patent Agreement refers to a legal contract established between the inventors or assignees and the state of South Dakota in the United States. This agreement provides protection for intellectual property rights and encourages innovation within the state. It ensures that inventors have the exclusive right to their inventions, preventing others from using, making, selling, or importing them without permission. The South Dakota Patent Agreement is designed to safeguard the interests of inventors and promote economic growth by encouraging the development and commercialization of new technologies and innovations. By granting patent rights, the agreement allows inventors to monetize their creations and reap the benefits of their hard work. Within the realm of South Dakota Patent Agreement, there are several types of patents recognized: 1. Utility Patents: These patents protect new and useful processes, machines, compositions of matter, or improvements thereof. They are granted for 20 years from the filing date and cover a wide range of inventions, including electrical devices, pharmaceuticals, mechanical tools, and more. 2. Design Patents: Design patents protect new, original, and ornamental designs for an article of manufacture. They last for 15 years from the date of grant and are focused on the aesthetic features of a product rather than its functionality. 3. Plant Patents: Plant patents are granted to inventors who have created or discovered a distinctive and reproducible new plant variety. They provide exclusive rights to the inventor for 20 years from the filing date and cover plants that have been asexually reproduced. 4. Provisional Patents: Although not a separate type of patent, provisional patents offer inventors a one-year period to exclusively claim "patent-pending" status without undergoing a formal patent examination. It gives inventors more time to refine their inventions before filing for a non-provisional patent. The South Dakota Patent Agreement aims to foster a favorable business environment by protecting intellectual property and incentivizing innovation. It plays a significant role in nurturing technological advancements and economic growth within the state, making South Dakota an attractive hub for inventors, businesses, and investors alike.