Patent Meaning
Patent Definition & Usage
A government-granted right for an inventor or creator to exclusively make, use, or sell their invention for a certain period of time.
Examples
- "She applied for a patent for her innovative new app to ensure no one else could copy it."
- "The company holds a patent for the technology used in their smart glasses."
- "After years of research, he was finally awarded a patent for his medical breakthrough."
- "They filed a patent to protect their unique design from being stolen by competitors."
- "Patents are crucial for tech companies to maintain their competitive edge in the market."
Easily noticeable or evident; clearly obvious.
Examples
- "His frustration was patent, evident from his clenched fists and furrowed brow."
- "The patent flaws in the design became apparent after the product hit the market."
- "Her talent for painting was patent, attracting attention from all around the gallery."
- "It was patent that they were in love, the way they looked at each other gave it away."
- "The mistake was patent, even to someone without a technical background."
To apply for or grant a patent to protect an invention or design.
Examples
- "They plan to patent the new process they developed for more efficient solar energy capture."
- "The engineer patented a unique method of assembling furniture."
- "You should patent your idea before you share it with others to avoid intellectual theft."
- "He patented the new filtration system after years of development."
- "After securing the patent, the company started mass production of the product."
Cultural Context
The word 'patent' has its roots in the Latin term 'patens,' meaning open or manifest, which eventually evolved into referring to an official document that makes something publicly known. In the modern world, patents play a critical role in innovation, especially in industries like technology, pharmaceuticals, and design. Patent law has been fundamental in encouraging inventiveness by protecting creators' intellectual property.
The Patent Puzzle
Story
The Patent Puzzle
It was a crisp autumn morning when Ellie walked into the office of Davis & Co., an intellectual property law firm she had contacted weeks ago. She had something special to protect—an idea that had kept her awake for countless nights. Her new software, designed to revolutionize data encryption, had the potential to change the way businesses stored sensitive information. But there was one problem: Ellie knew how easy it would be for someone to steal her concept. She needed a patent. As Ellie sat across from her lawyer, Mr. Davis, he smiled reassuringly. 'We can patent this,' he said, holding up a stack of documents. 'Once we submit your application, you’ll have exclusive rights to this innovation.' Ellie felt a wave of relief. Her hard work had led to this moment. Later that afternoon, she went to a tech conference to present her invention. As she demonstrated the software, it became patent obvious to everyone in the room just how revolutionary it was. The way it could encrypt data in seconds without compromising security was unprecedented. But there was another twist in the day. Her former colleague, Max, approached her with a grin. 'I’ve been following your progress, Ellie. That encryption software of yours? Patent pending, I see. I’ve been working on something similar.' Ellie raised an eyebrow. 'If you’re looking to patent your idea as well, I suggest you hurry up.' Max’s smile faded as he realized she was aware of his intentions to beat her to the patent office. That evening, as Ellie reviewed the patent paperwork once again, she couldn’t help but marvel at how much of her success depended on this one piece of legal paperwork. If it went through, her invention would be protected, and her future as a tech innovator would be secure. As she closed the document, Ellie thought back to how everything had fallen into place so naturally. The concept was simple, but it was a patent for a reason—it was her original creation. And no one could take that away from her. The next few weeks were a blur of meetings, paperwork, and legal jargon. But in the end, Ellie’s patent was granted. It was official—her invention was now hers alone to share with the world, on her terms. Years later, Ellie’s company would grow to become one of the leading names in cybersecurity, all because she had taken the steps to patent her idea and protect her future.
Related Words
