What Does Patented Mean?

A patent is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention for a limited period of years, in exchange for publishing an enabling public disclosure of the invention.

What does it mean when something is patented?

A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention. ... In other words, patent protection means that the invention cannot be commercially made, used, distributed, imported, or sold by others without the patent owner's consent.

Can you use something that is patented?

It is perfectly legal in the United States to choose to let your invention go unused for the entire period of the patent. If someone uses your invention without your permission, you are entitled to stop their use of the invention by seeking a legal injunction in Federal court.