A software patent is a patent on a piece of software, such as a computer program, libraries, user interface, or algorithm.
Growth of software patents in US
A patent is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention for a limited period of time in exchange for publishing an enabling disclosure of the invention. In most countries, patent rights fall under private law and the patent holder must sue someone infringing the patent in order to enforce their rights.
A patent issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
James Puckle's 1718 early autocannon was one of the first inventions required to provide a specification for a patent.
The plate of the Martin ejector seat of a military aircraft, stating that the product is covered by multiple patents in the UK, South Africa, Canada and pending in "other" jurisdictions. Dübendorf Museum of Military Aviation.