A utility patent is a type of intellectual property protection granted by the government for new inventions or discoveries. It covers the functional aspects of an invention, meaning it protects how the invention works, its structure, or its composition. Utility patents are typically valid for 20 years from the filing date, allowing inventors to exclude others from making, using, or selling their invention without permission. To obtain a utility patent, an inventor must submit a detailed application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or the relevant authority in their country. The application must demonstrate that the invention is novel, non-obvious, and useful.