Under the terms of the deal, Company A is allowed to pursue a minor variation of this technology of Company B.
Does "variation" mean "type"? I cannot figure out what it means.
Under the terms of the deal, Company A is allowed to pursue a minor variation of this technology of Company B.
Does "variation" mean "type"? I cannot figure out what it means.
"Variation" does not mean "type" in this instance.
There are several definitions but the one that applies here is something slightly different from another of the same type.
A minor variation emphasises that the difference is even more slight.
The wording of the sentence makes it difficult to understand. Substituting alternative words might make it easier:
Under the terms of the deal, Company A is allowed to [design|test|research|develop|investigate|offer] a slightly different version of the technology [owned|developed|provided] by Company B.
The answer by Frank H. gives a good definition of variation, but the ambiguity of the sentence really comes from the lack of indication as to whether the variation is mandated or tolerated.
Does . . .A is allowed to pursue a minor variation of this technology of Company B mean
A is allowed to pursue this technology, but it must be in the form of a minor variation from that which Company B utilizes.
or does it mean
A is allowed to pursue this technology of Company B, and even if it is in the form of a minor variation, it will be covered by this authorization.