"A patent for an invention is a document granted by a government to the inventor, giving the inventor the right for a limited period to stop others from making, using or selling the invention without the permission of the inventor.

When a patent is granted, the invention becomes the property of the inventor, which - like any other form of property or business asset - can be bought, sold, rented or hired. Patents are territorial rights: UK Patent will only give the holder rights within the United Kingdom and rights to stop others from importing the patented products into the United Kingdom. Definition from www.csa.com/hottopics/internet/gloss.php.