unpatentable

adjective

un·​pat·​ent·​able ˌən-ˈpa-tᵊn-tə-bəl How to pronounce unpatentable (audio)
 British also  -ˈpā-
: unable to be patented : not patentable
an unpatentable invention

Examples of unpatentable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
But most importantly, when an effective treatment became available, it was disseminated worldwide, and part of that happened because isoniazid was unpatentable, so costs for producing it and treating people with it remained low. Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023 Peloton also lost a patent dispute against rival Echelon over its streaming tech, with the US Patent and Trademark Office ruling Peloton’s tech was actually unpatentable. Victoria Song, The Verge, 9 Mar. 2023 During that challenge before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, a panel of three administrative patent judges sided with Smith & Nephew and found Arthrex's claims unpatentable. Jessica Gresko, Star Tribune, 21 June 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unpatentable was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near unpatentable

Cite this Entry

“Unpatentable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unpatentable. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

unpatentable

adjective
un·​pat·​ent·​able
ˌən-ˈpat-ᵊn-tə-bəl
: not patentable
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