patented
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- (of devices and processes) protected by patent
- they are patented inventions