Choose the term described by the sentence: A special right to an inventor to be the only person to make and sell, or to authorize others to make and sell a newly-invented machine or process. ( )

Choose the term described by the sentence: A special right to an inventor to be the only person to make and sell, or to authorize others to make and sell a newly-invented machine or process. ( )
A.return
B.portfolio
C.patent
D.budget
正确答案：patent