Patent misuse

In United States patent law, patent misuse is a patent holder's use of a patent to restrain trade beyond enforcing the exclusive rights that a lawfully obtained patent provides.[1] If a court finds that a patent holder committed patent misuse, the court may rule that the patent holder has lost the right to enforce the patent. Patent misuse that restrains economic competition substantially can also violate United States antitrust law.[2]

  1. ^ Quinn, Gene (18 November 2011). "Patent Misuse, Exploring the Basics". Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  2. ^ Zenith Radio Corp. v. Hazeltine Research, Inc, 395 U.S. 100, 140 (1971).