A patent is a property right granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to an inventor for a new, useful, and non-obvious invention. There are three main types of patents: utility patents for processes, machines, articles of manufacture, and compositions of matter; design patents for new, original, and ornamental designs; and plant patents for new and distinct plant varieties. To be patentable, an invention must meet several criteria including novelty, non-obviousness, written description, enablement, best mode, and utility.