ETYM Latin patens, -entis, p. pr. of patere to be open: cf. French patent. Related to Fathom.
1. Evident; apparent; unconcealed; manifest; public; conspicuous.
2. Open to public perusal; -- said of a document conferring some right or privilege.
3. Appropriated or protected by letters patent; secured by official authority to the exclusive possession, control, and disposal of some person or party; patented.

ETYM Cf. French patente. Related to Patent.
1. A document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention.
2. An official document granting a right or privilege; SYN. letters patent.
Or letters patent; Documents conferring the exclusive right to make, use, and sell an invention for a limited period. Ideas are not eligible; neither is anything not new.
In the us, the period of patent is 17 years. In 1987 the us began issuing patents for new animal forms (new types of livestock and assorted organisms) being created by DNA research, recombinant dna, and other forms of genetic tampering.

1. To grant rights to; grant a patent for.
2. To obtain a patent for