Body Quote by Nassau William Senior
“The payment made by a manufacturer to a patentee for the privilege of using the patent process, is usually termed, in commercial language, a rent; and under the same head must be ranked all extraordinary qualities of body and mind.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Treatise on Patents, 1884
A patent license fee is called rent, and similarly exceptional personal traits are also categorized as rent in commercial terms.
In simple terms: Patent fees are termed rent; exceptional traits are likewise labeled.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the metaphorical use of “rent” for both patents and talents.
Themes
law
economics
language
metaphor
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
legal
economic
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- intellectual property licensing
- talent assessment
Key Concepts
property rights
valuation
human capital
Questions to Reflect On
- How does labeling talent as rent affect its perceived value?
- Does this analogy help or hinder understanding of patent economics?
A Different Perspective
Metaphor may obscure legal distinctions between property and personal attributes.
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