How long do patents last?

Asked on 1/22/2009 by Claude Kane - Focus Associates
Answered by ABC Staff

The United States patents are now granted for a term of 20 years from the date of application (14 years for design patents). Different rules apply for patents covered by applications filed before June 8, 1995. Patents may be extended only by a special act of Congress (except for certain pharmaceutical patents).

After expiration of the term of the patent, the person holding the patent loses the right to exclude others from utilizing the invention, so that anyone can go ahead and make use of the invention without permission of the patent holder.

Guidelines

• You must be signed in as an ABC member to ask a question.
• Don't close the window yet! It's free to become a member!
• Be polite, use common sense and don't use profanity or offensive language.
• We cannot guarantee that your question will be answered. Whether questions are answered is soley at the discretion of ABC.
• ABC reserve the right to remove, modify or morve questions and comments at our discretion and without explaination.