ANTISHELVING CLAUSE antishelving clause. Patents. A provision in a patent-licensing contract, usu. one in which payment is based on royalties, requiring the licensee to put the patented article into commercial use within a specified time and to notify the patentee if the licensee decides to stop selling or manufacturing it. • The licensee generally agrees to commercially exploit the patent or else risk losing the license or exclusivity. Antishelving clauses are also used in trademark licenses.
— Also termed antishelving provision; shelving clause; shelving provision. [Cases: Patents 211(1). C.J.S. Patents § 348.]