Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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noun
The practice of owning and enforcing patents in an aggressive and opportunistic manner, often with no intention of marketing or promoting the subjects of the patents.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: derogatory, informal, uncountable
Topics: intellectual-property, law, patent-law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
From patent troll, which is derived from patent + troll (“in folklore, a grotesque humanoid creature living in caves or hills, or under bridges”), a reference to trolls in folktales who block the path of travellers or threaten to harm them unless some payment is made.
