unpatented

Open to copying

Unpatented describes an invention, process, or design that has not been granted a patent—either because no application was filed or because protection has expired.

Unpatented technology can be freely used, copied, or modified without licensing: The formula remained unpatented and was quickly imitated by competitors.

intellectual-property

unprotected

Without safeguard or shield

unregisteredNot formally recorded
unrestrictedHaving no limitations
nonexclusiveOpen to multiple parties

unlicensed · unclaimed · generic · imitation · knockoff · copyable · reproducible · unmonopolized · unowned

innovation

invention

New device or method

discoveryAct of finding something
breakthroughSudden important advance
noveltyQuality of being original

originality · ingenuity · inventiveness · idea · concept · design · process · technique · method · formula

vulnerable

exposed

Out in open

unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
defenselessWithout means to resist
susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed

at-risk · exploitable · copyable · stealable · unguarded · unsecured · undefended

open-source

free

Without payment or restriction

libreUnshackled, in Romance languages
GPLOpen source license type
MITCambridge research university

Apache · collaboration · community · repository · fork · shared · commons · transparent

public-domain

royalty-free

No per-use payments

heritageInherited cultural legacy
off-brandNot the famous version

Opposites

legal protection status

unpatentedpatented

Granted exclusive manufacturing rights

proprietary · protected · trademarked · copyrighted · registered

Family

patent, patented, patents, patenting, patentable, patentability, patentee

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G