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Glite Dictionary
patent infringement

patent infringement

5 7.2
Making, using, or selling someone's invention that is protected by law without permission
  • noun
  • /ˈpætənt ɪnˈfrɪndʒmənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : infracción de patente
  • The company was taken to court for patent infringement after it released a product without permission from the inventor.
  • sued for patent infringement
  • patent infringement case

Examples

  • The tiny company sued Microsoft for patent infringement in September 2004.

    Academic text (2006)

  • R.P. Siegel is an author, licensed engineer, and inventor who has served as a consultant on patent infringement cases.

    Academic text (2004)

  • I have helped out in the technical aspects of litigation for patent infringement.

    Blog text (17)

  • And keep in mind what the burden of proof is for this kind of patent infringement lawsuit.

  • Otherwise, they face the risk of being sued for patent infringement.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Burst sued the software giant for patent infringement in June 2002.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Apple lost a lawsuit yesterday and was given a 370 million dollar penalty for patent infringement.

    Blog text (2)

  • The Wrights claimed patent infringement and sued to stop Curtiss from flying.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The two lawsuits came after Motorola sued Apple in October 2010 for patent infringement.

    Blog text (1)

  • KCI has sued Innovative Therapies, alleging patent infringement and the violation of confidentiality and noncompete agreements.

    Blog text (29)

Surface Forms

patent infringement singular
patent infringements plural

Morphology

patent + infringement

The meaning 'violating the rights granted by a patent' is directly and compositionally derived from 'patent' (an exclusive-rights document) + 'infringement' (an act of violating rights). Although legal/technical, the semantic parts combine transparently and follow a straightforward pattern that a learner who knows both constituents can infer.

Etymology

Patent infringement comes from thinking of a patent as a paper that gives someone the 'right' to make or sell an invention and infringement as stepping over a line into someone else's space. Imagine a fence or sign around the idea—if someone goes past it and uses the invention, they have 'broken the rule'. So, patent infringement means using a patented invention without 'permission'.