protectable

Protectable is an adjective meaning capable of being protected or safeguarded, especially in legal contexts. A protectable interest or object is one that a legal system is willing to defend against infringement, loss, or harm. In intellectual property law, the term often appears as protectable subject matter describing what categories are eligible for protection. In patents, protectable matter must be eligible, novel, non-obvious, and useful. In copyright, protectable works require originality and fixation in a tangible medium. In trademarks, protectable marks must be distinctive and used in commerce. Trade secrets protect information that derives economic value from secrecy and is subject to reasonable protective measures. In other contexts, protectability depends on public policy and statutory design. Ideas themselves are generally not protectable; abstract ideas, natural phenomena, and mere facts are usually not protectable unless they are fixed in a protectable form, such as a concrete expression, a specific embodiment, or a patentable process. Assessing protectability often involves considering originality, fixation, public domain status, and compliance with registration or secrecy requirements. Entities seeking protection perform searches to avoid conflicts and implement protective measures such as registrations, licenses, and nondisclosure agreements. Overall, protectable describes the capacity of an asset, concept, or interest to receive legal protection under applicable law.