Legal Definitions - patent-owner

A patent-owner is the individual, company, or other legal entity that holds the exclusive rights granted by a patent. These rights typically allow the owner to prevent others from making, using, selling, offering for sale, or importing the patented invention without their permission for a specific period.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a patent-owner:

• Example 1: Corporate Invention
  "Quantum Robotics Inc. developed a revolutionary new robotic arm for precision manufacturing. After successfully navigating the patent application process and receiving an issued patent from the government, Quantum Robotics Inc. became the patent-owner of this innovative technology."

  Explanation: As the patent-owner, Quantum Robotics Inc. now holds the exclusive legal right to control who can manufacture, sell, or use their specific robotic arm design. They can choose to produce it themselves, license it to other companies, or prevent competitors from copying their invention.

• Example 2: Individual Inventor
  "Dr. Lena Petrova, an independent researcher, invented a novel compound that significantly extends the shelf life of certain perishable foods. She filed a patent application for her discovery, and once it was granted, Dr. Petrova became the patent-owner of the new food preservation compound."

  Explanation: In this scenario, Dr. Petrova, as an individual, is the patent-owner. This means she alone has the legal authority to commercialize her invention, license it to food manufacturers, or stop others from using her patented compound without her consent.

• Example 3: Transfer of Ownership
  "A small startup, 'Eco-Innovations,' invented and patented a unique water filtration system. Later, a larger environmental technology firm, 'Global Clean Water Solutions,' acquired Eco-Innovations, including all its intellectual property. Following the acquisition and the proper legal transfer of the patent rights, Global Clean Water Solutions became the new patent-owner of the water filtration system."

  Explanation: This example demonstrates that patent ownership can be transferred. Even though Eco-Innovations originally created the invention, Global Clean Water Solutions, through acquisition, now legally holds the exclusive rights to the patented filtration system and can enforce those rights against infringers.