What term describes the exclusive rights granted by a patent?

The term that best describes the exclusive rights granted by a patent is "patent protection." This term encapsulates the idea that a patent allows an inventor or assignee to prevent others from making, using, selling, or distributing the patented invention without permission for a set period. Patent protection is critical because it encourages innovation by providing inventors with the opportunity to recoup their investments and profit from their inventions.

While "patent exclusivity" might seem closely related, it is not the standard term used in patent law to describe the rights themselves. Exclusivity typically refers to the aspect of the rights but not the overall concept of the legal protection granted. Terms like "patent authorization" and "patent tenure" do not accurately convey the full scope of what a patent provides. Authorization suggests a permission aspect rather than the exclusive control the patent holder has, and tenure implies a length of time rather than the rights themselves. Thus, "patent protection" is the most appropriate term to use in this context.