What are the types of patents? ..............................................................................................................   There are three types of patent: the invention, the utility model, and the design. They are most easily distinguished by example. The invention of a telephone would be applied for as an invention patent. The subsequent conversion of the previously invented desktop telephone into a wall-mounted telephone would be applied for as a utility model patent, while a cartoon telephone (such as a dog-shaped telephone) would be applied for as a design patent.