What is the “Process” category for patentable inventions?

A process is one of the four general categories of patentable inventions, as defined by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A process, as it relates to patent law, describes any new or non-obvious method for developing a material. A patentable process, for example, may be characterized by unique starting ingredients or even the new modification of an existing processing technique. The process category extends past just how materials are made, but also includes how materials are applied. That is, even though one specific application of a material may be known, a patentable process could relate to that same exact material being applied under different circumstances than previously known.

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The content of this article is not intended to be, and does not constitute, legal advice and does not create attorney-client privilege. Consult the attorney of your choice before embarking on any legal matter or any document preparation/filing.

Dr. Thomas R. (Terry) Williamson III is a Patent Attorney practicing in Atlanta, Georgia.

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