Obtaining a utility patent involves a rigorous process. The applicant must file a detailed application with the patent office, demonstrating that the invention is novel, non-obvious, and useful. This application undergoes examination by a patent examiner who assesses its claims. If the patent is granted, the inventor must pay maintenance fees to keep it in force. In the United States, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the governing body overseeing this process.
