patented
adj. US //ˈpætəntɪd// UK //pˈeɪtəntɪd// patent·ed
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1 protected by law (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Lawprotected by a legal document so that only one person or company has the right to make or sell it.
protected by a patent, granting the inventor exclusive rights to manufacture, use, or sell an invention for a set period.
ExampleThe company uses a patented technology to make their phone screens stronger.
ExampleThe pharmaceutical firm holds a patented formula for the drug, preventing competitors from producing a generic version for the next decade.