A patent is a grant from the U.S. government of the right to exclude others from making, using, selling, or offering for sale the patented invention for a limited time. That is, a patent gives its owner the ability to seek an injunction through the federal court system to stop an infringer from making, using, selling, or offering for sale the patented invention during the term in which the patent is in force. Monetary damages may also be awarded for patent infringement.