patent
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patent
A time-limited protective right granted by the state for an invention, giving the holder the exclusive right to use and exploit it.
Das Pharmaunternehmen hat ein Patent für das neue Medikament angemeldet.
The pharmaceutical company has applied for a patent for the new medication.
simple solution
In a figurative sense, a universally valid, simple solution to a complex problem. Mostly used in the expression 'kein Patent(rezept) haben' (to not have a magic formula / simple solution).
Für die Lösung dieses sozialen Konflikts gibt es leider kein einfaches Patent.
Unfortunately, there is no simple solution for resolving this social conflict.
In connection with patents, there are fixed verb combinations that describe a process: you can 'ein Patent anmelden' (apply for/register a patent), 'es erteilt bekommen' (be granted it), and then 'es halten' or 'besitzen' (hold or own it).
Die Firma hat für die neue Technologie ein Patent angemeldet.
The company has applied for a patent for the new technology.
To express what a patent applies to, German uses the preposition 'auf' followed by the accusative.
Der Erfinder hat ein Patent auf sein neues Verfahren erhalten.
The inventor received a patent for his new process.
The figurative meaning is used almost exclusively in the negative expression 'kein Patent' or 'kein Patentrezept' für etwas haben/geben (to have/there be no magic formula or simple solution for something). It means that there is no simple, universally valid solution to a problem.
Auf die Frage, wie man glücklich wird, gibt es kein Patentrezept.
There is no magic formula for the question of how to become happy.
The word 'Patent' (patent) is often the first part of compound nouns in legal and economic contexts. Important examples are 'das Patentrecht' (patent law), 'der Patentanwalt' (patent attorney), or 'die Patentanmeldung' (patent application).
Die Patentanmeldung ist ein komplizierter und teurer Prozess.
The patent application is a complicated and expensive process.
recipe / prescription
In a figurative sense, a Rezept can be a tried-and-tested method for solving a problem. In this context, Patent refers to a simple, generally applicable solution and usually appears in the fixed expression that someone has kein Patent. For a specific plan, Rezept is therefore more appropriate.
Für die vollständige Vermeidung von Wartezeiten hat auch diese Klinik kein Patent.
This clinic has no magic formula for completely eliminating waiting times either.
Die Klinik hat ein wirksames Rezept gegen lange Wartezeiten entwickelt.
The clinic has developed an effective recipe for reducing long waiting times.
