Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Legally protected by a patent: Describes an invention, device, or process that has been granted a patent by a government authority. This grants the inventor exclusive rights to make, use, or sell the invention for a limited period.

Usage

The adjective "patented" is used to indicate that something has official, legal protection against being copied or used without permission. It is typically placed before a noun or used after a linking verb like "is" or "was."

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The company's success is built on a patented manufacturing process.
  • This is a patented device, so it cannot be legally reproduced by competitors.
  • The formula remained a patented secret for twenty years.

Advanced Usage

• "to be patented": The passive verb form is often used to describe the action of obtaining a patent.
  • His design was finally patented after a lengthy application process.
• Used figuratively to describe a characteristic method or style that is uniquely associated with a person or group, implying it is as distinctive as a legal patent.
  • She greeted us with her patented smile.

Variants and Related Words

• Patent (noun): The official legal document granting exclusive rights.
  • He filed for a patent to protect his idea.
• Patent (verb): To obtain a patent for an invention.
  • They hope to patent their new software algorithm.
• Patentable (adjective): Capable of being patented.
  • The discovery was novel and therefore patentable.

Synonyms

• Copyrighted (specifically for artistic/literary works)
• Proprietary
• Registered (in a broader legal sense)
• Protected

Antonyms

• Public domain
• Unpatented
• Open-source (in a technological context)

Adjective

1. (of devices and processes) protected by patent
   • they are patented inventions