Legal Definitions - Proprietary

Definition: The word proprietary means something is owned by someone. It can refer to anything that is exclusive to an owner or company.

Examples:

• A proprietary software is a computer program that is owned by a company and cannot be used or modified without permission.
• A proprietary blend of coffee is a unique combination of coffee beans that is owned by a coffee company and cannot be replicated by others.
• A proprietary technology is a technology that is owned by a company and cannot be used or replicated by others without permission.

The examples illustrate how something can be proprietary if it is exclusive to an owner or company. In each example, the item is owned by a specific entity and cannot be used or replicated without permission. This shows how proprietary items are protected by their owners and cannot be freely used by others.