The term “proprietary” is a legal concept used to refer to exclusive rights within a company or organization. It can also refer to information that is not available to competitors or to the public. In legal terms, proprietary information is any information, idea, trade secret, invention, or other material that is owned by a company or individual and that that entity treats as its own. It is also sometimes used to refer to a distinct or unique item or invention.
Definition of Proprietary
In general, the term “proprietary” can be used to describe something owned by a specific person or company. It often implies that the person or company has exclusive rights to the thing, because these rights are proprietary.
For example, if a company creates a new product, it typically has exclusive rights to that product. The company could have a unique process or design that sets it apart from similar products. This product and the associated process or design could be described as “proprietary.”
Examples of Proprietary
Proprietary information could be anything from a company’s customer list and contact information to manufacturing techniques, trade secrets, or processes. For example, the Coca-Cola Company famously keeps the formula for its signature beverage a closely-guarded secret. The formula is protected from competitors because it is proprietary information.
Another example of proprietary information is a company’s brand identity. A company’s logo, tagline, and visual identity are all examples of proprietary information because they are uniquely owned by the company. If a competitor were to copy them without permission, it could be seen as infringement of the company’s proprietary rights.
Conclusion
In short, proprietary information and rights are unique to one entity and are not available to the public or competitors. These rights may include exclusive processes, formulas, designs, ideas, inventions, or customer lists. Companies often employ legal measures to protect their proprietary rights from exploitation. By understanding what is meant by proprietary, businesses can better protect their investments and ensure the true value of their products.