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invention category A group or set of inventions that are classified together because of common characteristics. Invention groups that include Agricultural, Communications, Computing, Energy, Transportation and more.
Patents. Patents protect an invention from being made, sold or used by others for a certain period of time. There are three different types of patents in the United States: 1  Utility Patents-these patents protect inventions that have a specific function, including things like chemicals, machines, and technology. Design Patents-these patents protect the unique way a manufactured object appears. 2  Plant Patents-these patents protect plant varieties that are asexually reproduced, including hybrids.