There are a number of different types of patents. In the United States, the types of patents include:

• Utility Patents - for innovative structure and/or functionality
• Design Patents - for innovative aesthetics and/or ornamentation
• Plant Patents - for innovative plants

(click on any of the above links for details from the U.S. Patent Office)

In addition, each of these types of U.S. patents can be applied for via a:

• Provisional (a.k.a. informal) Patent Application, and/or
• Non-Provisional (a.k.a. formal) Patent Application

Moreover, Utility Patents or a near-equivalent are also available in most foreign countries, and can be applied for either directly or via an international (a.k.a. "PCT") patent application.