Synonyms for
Patents
Definition
Patents are exclusive rights granted by a government to an inventor for a certain period of time, which gives the inventor the right to prevent others from making, using, or selling their invention.
Synonyms & similar words
Synonyms by register
Antonyms
Common collocations
- file a patent
- patent pending
- patent application
- grant a patent
- patent infringement
- patent law
- utility patent
- design patent
Word family
Usage note
The word 'patents' typically refers to the legal documents granting exclusive rights for an invention. It is often used in the plural when discussing the general concept or a collection of such documents.
Example sentences
- The company obtained a patent for their new product.
- Without a patent, anyone could make and sell your invention.
- The inventor was able to sell his patent for a lot of money.
- The patent holder sued a company for infringement.
- It can be difficult to get a patent for a new invention.
Quotes
'The patent system added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius.' - Abraham Lincoln
'The best way to predict the future is to invent it.' - Alan Kay
'Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.' - Steve Jobs