Meaning of the Word
Patent refers to a legal right granted to an inventor, giving them exclusive control over the production and use of their invention for a specified period. It can also describe something that is obvious, clear, or easily visible.
Definitions and Meaning in English
- A government-granted right that allows an inventor to exclude others from making, using, or selling their invention for a set number of years.
- Something that is obvious or easily recognized, often used to describe a clear or evident situation.
- A document or certificate that formally grants patent rights to an inventor.
History and Origin
The word patent comes from the Latin patens, meaning “open” or “public,” which is derived from patere (meaning “to be open”). The term originally referred to a document issued by a monarch or government that granted privileges or rights to individuals. The modern usage of patent to refer specifically to the exclusive right to an invention dates back to the 15th century. The practice of granting patents as we know it today began in England during the Renaissance.
Detailed Explanation
A patent is a legal protection granted to an inventor for their novel inventions, preventing others from making, using, or selling the invention without the inventor’s permission. This protection is typically granted for a period of 20 years, after which the invention enters the public domain and can be freely used by others. To be patentable, an invention must meet several criteria, including novelty, non-obviousness, and usefulness.
In a more general sense, patent can also refer to something that is readily apparent or obvious. For example, a patent lie would refer to a lie that is clearly untrue or easily detectable. The term is often used to stress the obviousness or visibility of something.
Example Sentences
- The inventor filed for a patent to protect his new technology from being copied.
- The patent for the new drug will allow the company to sell it exclusively for the next 20 years.
- Her patent disregard for the rules was evident to everyone in the room.
- The lawyer advised the entrepreneur to secure a patent before releasing the product to the market.
- The new patent will revolutionize the way we use renewable energy.
- It was a patent fact that the team had not prepared well for the meeting.
- The patent on the design of the new vehicle expired last year, allowing other companies to copy it.
- His patent smile made everyone feel at ease during the interview.
- The technology is so advanced that securing a patent was crucial to prevent competitors from copying it.
Synonyms with Short Explanation
- Copyright – Legal protection for creative works such as books, music, and software, similar to a patent for inventions.
- Trademark – A symbol or brand name legally protected, similar in nature to a patent, but it applies to branding and logos.
- License – Official permission granted to use a patented invention, often in exchange for fees.
- Exclusive – Something granted with sole rights, often used in the context of patent protection to prevent others from using the invention.
- Privilege – A special right or advantage, sometimes used in a broader sense to describe the exclusive rights granted by a patent.
Related Words with Short Explanation
- Invention – A novel creation that can be patented, often a product, process, or design.
- Innovation – The introduction of new ideas or inventions, which may be eligible for patent protection.
- Intellectual Property – A legal concept that includes patents, copyrights, and trademarks, protecting creations of the mind.
- Patent Pending – The status of an invention that has been submitted for a patent but is still under review.
- Patentable – Describes something that meets the criteria to be granted a patent, including novelty and usefulness.
More Matches with Short Explanation
- Utility Patent – A type of patent that covers new inventions or discoveries that offer a new way of doing something or provide a new technical solution.
- Design Patent – A type of patent that protects the ornamental design or appearance of a product.
- Provisional Patent – A temporary filing for a patent that gives an inventor a year to file a formal application.
- Patent Troll – A term used for entities that acquire patents not to produce products but to sue others for infringement.
- International Patent – A patent granted in multiple countries, offering protection across borders.
Antonyms
- Public Domain – A state in which an invention or creation is no longer under patent protection and can be used by anyone.
- Copy – To reproduce or imitate an invention without the original creator’s permission, the opposite of holding a patent.
- Free use – The right to use something without restriction, which contrasts with the exclusive rights granted by a patent.
- Piracy – The unauthorized use of patented inventions, often related to intellectual property theft.
- Infringement – The act of violating the exclusive rights granted by a patent, typically involving unauthorized use of a patented invention.
