Intellectual Property Terms

Patent

An exclusive right granted for a new and useful invention involving an inventive step.

In Simple Terms

A government-granted monopoly letting an inventor be the only one who can make or sell their invention, for a limited time.

Detailed Legal Meaning

A patent grants its holder the exclusive right, for a limited term, to prevent others from making, using, selling, or importing the patented invention without consent, in exchange for public disclosure of the invention — available only for subject matter that is novel, involves an inventive step, and is capable of industrial application, subject to specified statutory exclusions.

Relevant Acts & Sections

Related Terms