Not able to be protected by a patent because it's too common, not helpful, or too obvious.
The simple gadget was considered unpatentable because it was too easy to think of.
这个简单的小装置被认为是不可申请专利的,因为它太容易想到。
Not able to get a patent because it doesn't follow the rules for what can be patented.
Their idea was unpatentable, so they couldn't get legal protection for it.
他们的想法是不可申请专利的,所以他们不能获得法律保护。