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Patent

Also known as patents

Exclusive legal rights over an invention for a fixed number of years, in exchange for publishing how it works.

Example

A hardware startup patents its battery design so competitors cannot copy it for 20 years.

Related terms

Intellectual Property
Things your business created that it legally owns even though you cannot touch them — your code, brand name, designs and inventions.
Moat
A lasting advantage that makes it hard for competitors to copy or beat you — like a strong brand, network effects, or unique technology.
Trademark
Legal protection for your brand name and logo, so competitors cannot trade under a confusingly similar identity.

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