patent
PAT-unt
/ˈpætənt/
A government authority or license conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention.
A patent protects an invention (how it works), whereas a copyright protects an expression (how it looks or sounds).
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'litterae patentes', meaning 'open letters'. These were public documents issued by a monarch to confer a right or privilege, 'open' for everyone to see and respect.
Word relationships
- license: A license is permission to use something; a patent is the ownership of the right to exclude others.
- copyright: Copyright is for creative works; patent is for functional inventions.
- public domain: Works in the public domain are not protected by patents and can be used by anyone.
Commonly confused with
- trademark: Trademarks protect brand identity; patents protect technical inventions.
Word family
- patented (adjective): Protected by a patent.
- patentable (adjective): Able to be patented.
Collocations
- file a patent
- grant a patent
- patent infringement
- patent pending
Example sentences
- "The inventor filed a patent to protect her new design for a solar-powered water purifier." Legal Protection
- "I have never seen a patent which was not for a specific thing." History of Tech
Memory hook
A patent makes your invention 'apparent' (visible) but protected. Open to the public, closed to competitors.
When not to use
Don't use 'patent' when you mean 'trademark' (which protects brand names and logos).
Fun facts
- The first U.S. patent was granted in 1790 for a process of making potash, an ingredient in fertilizer.
Related words
Explore more words
monopoly, proprietary, license, monopolize, piracy, exclusivity
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