Patent data cover applications and grants classified by field of technology. Patent applications are worldwide patent applications filed through the Patent Cooperation Treaty procedure or with a national patent office for exclusive rights for an invention - a product or process that provides a new way of doing something or offers a new technical solution to a problem. A patent provides protection for the invention to the owner of the patent for a limited period, generally 20 years. Resident patent applications are those for which the first-named applicant or assignee is a resident of the state or region concerned. Non-resident patent applications are from applicants outside the relevant state or region.