A patent is an exclusive intellectual property right granted to an inventor by a government authority, typically for a limited period, in exchange for detailed public disclosure of the invention. Here are the detailed features of a patent:

1.  Exclusive Rights : A patent provides the inventor with exclusive rights to prevent others from making, using, selling, or importing the patented invention without permission. This exclusivity is usually granted for a specific period, typically 20 years from the filing date of the patent application.

2.  Public Disclosure : In exchange for the exclusive rights, the inventor must disclose the details of the invention in a patent application. This disclosure is published by the patent office and becomes part of the public domain, contributing to the body of technological knowledge.

3.  Legal Protection : Patents offer legal protection, allowing inventors to enforce their rights against infringers through civil lawsuits. Patent holders can seek damages, injunctions, and other legal remedies against unauthorized use of their patented inventions.

4.  Inventive Step : To be granted a patent, the invention must demonstrate an inventive step or non-obviousness, meaning it should not be obvious to someone skilled in the relevant field. The invention must represent a significant advancement or improvement over existing technology.

5.  Patentability Criteria : Patents are granted for inventions that are novel (not previously disclosed), involve an inventive step, and are capable of industrial application (useful and applicable in industry). Certain types of inventions, such as methods of medical treatment and software algorithms in some jurisdictions, may be excluded from patentability.