What is meant by proprietary material?

Proprietary material refers to content that is owned by an individual or organization and is protected by exclusive legal rights. This means that the creator has the authority to control the use, distribution, and modification of the material. Proprietary material often encompasses software, literary works, inventions, and any unique products that a company has developed. The ownership provides legal mechanisms to prevent unauthorized use by others, ensuring that the creator can maintain control over how their material is utilized and potentially profit from it.

On the other hand, material available for public use, material that can be duplicated freely, and material shared through open-source licenses do not fit the definition of proprietary material. These types of material are designed for public access and typically lack the exclusive rights that characterize proprietary content. Thus, the defining trait of proprietary material is that it is safeguarded by laws that grant the owner specific rights over how it is used and distributed.