patented

Patented is the adjective used to describe an invention or method that has been granted a patent by a national or regional patent office. A patent provides the holder with exclusive rights to prevent others from making, using, selling, or importing the invention in the jurisdiction for a limited period, typically 20 years from filing, in exchange for public disclosure of the invention.

To obtain a patent, an application is filed containing a detailed description and claims that define the invention’s scope. Patent offices examine the submission for compliance with legal standards such as novelty, inventive step (non-obviousness), and industrial applicability. The process may involve searches, communications with the applicant, and possible amendments. If granted, the patent owner must pay periodic maintenance fees to keep the patent in force and may enforce rights through licensing or litigation.

Patents are territorial, meaning protection applies only in the countries or regions where they are granted. Some systems provide international routes, such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty or regional offices, to streamline filings across multiple jurisdictions. The status “patent pending” may be used while an application is under review; once granted, the invention is described as patented in those jurisdictions. Patents can be licensed, assigned, or subject to compulsory licenses in certain circumstances.

Limitations include that patents do not guarantee commercial success and may be invalidated or expire. They protect concrete inventions or processes that meet legal criteria, not abstract ideas, natural phenomena, or mere discoveries. The term and scope of protection vary by jurisdiction, reflecting differing national laws and policies.