patent system
Noun
Meaning
a legal system for protecting the rights of inventors
Source: WordNetHypernyms
Examples
Unless we find a solution to the problem of interlocking patents, the patent system may actually impede the very innovation it was designed to encourage.
The reforms proposed by the Patent Reform Act of 2007 are precisely the type of congressional action needed. The Act will remove obstacles to growth and restore balance to the patent system.