ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Chemical patent

A chemical patent is like a secret recipe for making something. Just like we make cupcakes by mixing ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, scientists and companies make new chemicals by mixing different ingredients together in a special way. When they come up with a new recipe for making a chemical, they can apply for a patent, which is like a special permission slip that says only they can make that chemical using their recipe for a certain amount of time, usually 20 years. This helps protect the company's investment in developing the chemical and gives them a way to make money by selling it to others who want to use it. Think of it like having a special secret recipe for cupcakes that no one else can use for a while, so only you can sell your special cupcakes and make lots of money!