patentada

Patentada is the feminine participle of patentar and is used in Spanish to describe an invention, product, or method that has been granted a patent. When something is patentada, the inventor or assignee holds exclusive rights to the invention for a limited period, as conferred by a patent office. Patent protection is territorial: a patent granted in one country does not automatically apply in others.

A patent typically covers the requirements of patentability: novelty, inventive step (or non-obviousness), and industrial applicability. The applicant must provide a clear and enabling description of the invention, including claims that define the scope of protection. Abstract ideas, purely theoretical concepts, or discoveries of natural phenomena are generally not patentable.

The patent process usually begins with a formal application filed with the relevant national or regional patent office. After examination, the office may issue objections or require amendments. If granted, the patent is published and the patent holder gains exclusive rights to make, use, sell, or license the invention for a set term, commonly 20 years from the filing date in many jurisdictions. Maintenance fees or annuities are often required to keep the patent in force. Expiration or failure to pay can cause the patent to lapse, placing the invention into the public domain.

Rights conferred by a patent include obtaining injunctions against infringement, licensing arrangements, and the ability to license or assign the patent to others. Patentted inventions are frequently cited in industry and scholarly work as protected innovations that encourage investment in research and development.