patent
She applied for a patent on her new invention.
Ella solicitó una patente para su nueva invención.
Documento legal que otorga a una persona o empresa el derecho exclusivo de usar, fabricar y vender una invención durante un período determinado.
The company holds the patent for this technology.
La empresa posee la patente de esta tecnología.
In Spanish, 'patente' is used for both the legal document and the concept of intellectual property protection.
Obvio, evidente o claramente visible.
His guilt was patent to everyone in the room.
Su culpa era patente para todos en la habitación.
This adjective sense is less common in modern English but appears in formal or literary contexts.
Conceder una patente a una invención.
They patented the process last year.
Patentaron el proceso el año pasado.
As a verb, 'patent' means to secure legal protection for an invention.
Colocaciones
Antónimos
Consejo pro
Legal vs. General Usage
Be aware that 'patent' has two distinct meanings: one legal (intellectual property) and one descriptive (obvious). Context determines which meaning applies.
Regla de oro
Patent vs. Trademark
A patent protects inventions and processes, while a trademark protects brand names and logos. Do not confuse them in legal contexts.
Origen de la palabra
From Latin 'patens' meaning 'open' or 'public', referring to the public nature of the disclosure required in exchange for exclusive rights.
Notas de uso
In legal and business contexts, 'patent' refers specifically to intellectual property rights for inventions. In general English, it can also mean 'obvious' or 'clear', though this usage is more formal or literary.