Definition
An exclusive license grants a single licensee the right to use a patent to the exclusion of others, sometimes including the patent owner itself.
Why It Matters Legally
Exclusivity commands higher value and can give a licensee market dominance. Whether a license is exclusive also affects who has standing to sue infringers, an important litigation consideration.
Example Use Case
A biotech firm secures an exclusive license to a university patent, ensuring no competitor can obtain rights to the same technology.
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