Etymology
The word "patent" originates from the Latin term patens, meaning "open" or "exposed to view".
Meaning and Origin
In the context of intellectual property, a patent refers to an exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor or their heirs to produce, use, sell, or license an invention for a limited period. The concept of granting patents emerged during the Renaissance and early modern periods as a way to encourage innovation and promote economic growth.
The first patent was believed to have been granted by the Republic of Venice in 1421 to Filippo Brunelleschi for his invention of a hoisting machine. By the 17th century, patent systems had been established in several European countries.
The earliest patent laws in the United States were enacted in 1790, and the modern patent system was established by the Patent Act of 1836. The term "patent" is used to describe the document that grants this exclusive right, which includes a detailed description of the invention, drawings, and claims of the invention.
Significance
Patents are a fundamental aspect of intellectual property law and play a crucial role in:
Etymology The word letter originates from the Old French word lettre which is deriv
Etymology lachrymose adj Middle English from Old French from Latin lachrymōsus
Etymology of Letters The word letter derives from the Old French lettre which itsel
Etymology The word patent originates from the Latin term patens meaning open or exp
Etymology of Patency Latin patens open evident Proto Indo European pet no to o
Etymology The word patent originates from the Latin term patens meaning open or exp
Etymology Old French compas Latin compassus stride Vulgar Latin compassare to
Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin history and development of words It exa
Etymology Expanse derives from the Latin word expansus meaning spread out or ext
Etymology Latin expansio From the verb expandere meaning to spread out unfold
Etymology The word expansive is derived from the Latin word expansus which means
Etymology The word fathom derives from the Old English word fæðm which originally
Etymology The word pace has multiple origins but the most common is from the Latin wo
Etymology Paella is derived from the Late Latin word patella meaning pan The word
Etymology From Latin pandiculātiō from pandiculāri to stretch lazily Meaning
Etymology and Origin The word pass comes from the Old French word passer meaning t
Etymology The word passe derives from the French word passer which means to pass
Etymology The word passim originates from the Latin word passus meaning step or
Etymology From Italian passacaglia from Spanish pasacalle from pasar to pass call
Etymology The word passage comes from the Old French word passage which in turn der
Etymology The word passenger comes from the Old French word passager which in turn
Etymology The word passport originates from the Late Latin term passaporta or passuspo
Etymology The word patent comes from the Latin word patere meaning to be open or s
Etymology The word patent originates from the Latin term patens meaning open or exp
Etymology Latin patina shallow dish Italian patina pan plate Greek patane s
Etymology The word petal is derived from the Late Latin word petalum which in turn
Etymology The word spandrel is derived from the old French term espandre meaning t
Etymology Middle English spawnen from Old Norse spá meaning footprint or track
Etymology Latin apparens present participle of apparere to appear to become visible
Etymology The word palpable comes from the Latin word palpabilis which means capab
Etymology Mercedes Latin for mercy or grace Benz German surname of Karl Benz one
Etymology Latin specificare from specificus particular precise Latin species kin
Etymology and Origin The word bowler has two distinct etymologies 1 Bowler Person w
Etymology The word moxie has an uncertain etymology It was first recorded in the early
Etymology The word procure comes from the Latin word procurare which means to take
Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It traces words
1 Etymology a Definition The study of the history of words including their origins f