submarine patent n. a patent that, when issued, forces companies already using the newly patented technology to pay retroactive licensing or rights fees. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
submarine patent n.— «A man fought with the Patent Office for 15 years while lots of different laser products were being developed. Eventually, makers of laser products were forced to pay him. “We call those “submarine...
submarine patent n.— «Occasionally, patents take a decade or two to be granted because they are held up in appeals and amendments in the Patent Office. When this happens under the existing system, an inventor can obtain a 17-year monopoly...
submarine patent n.— «Acacia is one of a number of companies that are making a good living by sitting on patents that are actually very general in their application. Individuals can register such patents, with no ability to develop...