Definition
A patent thicket is a dense overlapping set of patent rights held by many owners that a company must navigate to commercialize a technology.
Why It Matters Legally
Patent thickets raise the cost and risk of entering a market, often forcing cross-licensing or pooling. Recognizing a thicket early shapes product and licensing strategy.
Example Use Case
To launch a new smartphone, a company must navigate a thicket of overlapping patents, leading it to negotiate multiple cross-licenses.
Have a question about this?
Talk to a patent attorney about your situation. Start your free consult
Related Terms
Cross-License, Patent Pool, Freedom to Operate, Standard Essential Patent, Licensing