In general, anything that is novel, non-obvious, and useful can potentially be patented. However, there are certain legal categories of patentability that must be met. The three legal classes of patentability are:

• Utility Patents: Granted to inventions that involve a new and useful process, device, machine, manufactured item, chemical compound or formula. Utility patents, which apply to virtually anything that can be made, are granted for a period of 20 years from the date of filing a patent application.

• Design Patents: Granted to a new, original ornamental design for a manufactured item. Patents on ornamental designs protect the look, form, and structure of a functional item.

• Plant Patents: Granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.

Some examples of things that can be patented include:

• Devices, such as a teleporter, time machine, or ray gun.
• Designs for jewelry, clothing, furniture, beverage containers, and computer icons.
• Business methods, such as Amazons one-click checkout process.
• Software, both for computers and other hardware.
• Formulas, such as those used to create new drugs or substances.

Its important to note that ideas themselves cannot be patented, but the underlying process or invention can be. Additionally, the invention must be new and novel, meaning that no one else has already patented it, and it must not be obvious to someone familiar with the field.