Statute of Monopolies

England [1623]

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June 30, 2026

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The Statute of Monopolies was enacted in England in 1623. This law confirmed that monopolies were generally against common law. However, it created an exception for patentable inventions, allowing for the granting of exclusive rights for new manufactures for up to 14 years. This statute aimed to curb the abuse of royal monopolies while still encouraging innovation by protecting inventors' rights.12

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common law
Further growth of statute law
The Statute of Monopolies of 1623 confirmed that monopolies were contrary to common law but made exceptions for patentable inventions, and a statute of 1601 became the basis of the privileges enjoyed by charitable trusts. Additionally, the series of Poor Laws enacted in the late 16th…
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The Statute of Monopolies of 1623 confirmed that monopolies were contrary to common law but made exceptions for patentable inventions, and a statute of 1601 became the basis of the privileges enjoyed by charitable trusts. Additionally, the series of Poor Laws enacted in the late 16th…
Read More

patent
…in 1623 Parliament enacted the Statute of Monopolies. Although the statute prohibited most royal monopolies, it specifically preserved the right to grant “letters patent” for inventions of new manufactures for up to 14 years. In the United States the Constitution authorizes Congress to create a national patent system to “promote…
Read More
…in 1623 Parliament enacted the Statute of Monopolies. Although the statute prohibited most royal monopolies, it specifically preserved the right to grant “letters patent” for inventions of new manufactures for up to 14 years. In the United States the Constitution authorizes Congress to create a national patent system to “promote…
Read More