11.1.3 How a Patent Is Obtained is the process of obtaining a patent from a federal or state government. A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or process that provides a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem. Obtaining a patent requires filing a patent application with the appropriate government agency and then receiving and responding to communications from the patent office. There are two main types of patents: utility patents and design patents. Utility patents cover new and useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, and compositions of matter, while design patents protect the ornamental or aesthetic aspects of an invention. The patent process typically involves a thorough review of the invention to ensure that it meets all legal and technical criteria, followed by the issuance of a patent if the application is approved.