Obvious protection for inventive types (6)

I believe the answer is:

patent

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'obvious' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for patent that I've seen before include "For all to see" , "Licence for inventors; obvious" , "Register (an invention)" , "Like a medicine" , "Open the right to an invention" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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