patent (of invention)

The granting of a right or authority by the federal government; the document granting that right or authority; an exclusive right to make, use, or sell an invention granted to the inventor of a unique device or process for a specified period of time (usually 20 years). See new and useful.

Patent granted for a new appearance to an existing item.

Patent granted for a new variety of plant, granted to person who discovers and reproduces same.