proprietary rights
Definition
Proprietary rights are your legal ownership rights over something valuable that belongs to your business, such as a product, invention, brand, software, or secret process. These rights give you the power to control how others use that thing, profit from it, and stop competitors from copying or stealing it. Think of it as the bundle of legal protections that says 'this belongs to me and I get to decide what happens with it.'
Example
If you spent years developing a unique recipe or software tool for your business, your proprietary rights mean no one can take that creation and sell it as their own without your permission.
Watch Out
When you hire contractors or employees to build something for your business, make sure your contracts clearly state that your company owns the result, because without that language the creator may legally hold the proprietary rights instead of you.
See which terms appear in your contract?
This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.