Patent Duration
How Long Does a Patent Last?
Patents filed after June 8, 1995 last for a period of 20 years from the date the application was filed. Patents filed before June 8, 1995 have whichever is the greatest of a term of 17 years from the date the application was granted or 20 years from the date the application was filed.
Do Patents Ever Expire Early?
Patents can and sometimes do expire early. Some of the common ways that the duration of a patent term is cut short are:
- The patent is found to be invalid
- The inventor fails to pay maintenance fees
What Could Make My Patent Invalid?
A patent can be deemed invalid for a number of reasons. Usually, a patent will be found to be invalid during infringement cases where an accused infringer defends himself by claiming your patent is invalid. Some of the common reasons patents are found to be invalid are:
- The invention was not actually patentable - if someone can bring evidence that your invention lacked the requisite novelty, utility, or non-obviousness required for a patent, the USPTO can declare your patent invalid.
- You obtained the patent fraudulently - even if your invention was patentable, if someone can show that you got your patent by deceiving the USPTO, your patent can be declared invalid.
- You used your patent to commit illegal acts - if you use your patent to engage in illegal conduct, the USPTO can declare your patent invalid.
What are Maintenance Fees and When Do I Have to Pay Them?
Maintenance fees must be paid to the USPTO to keep the patent in force. Maintenance fees are due 3 ½ , 7 ½, and 11 ½ years after the patent has been granted. However, if you miss these deadlines, you have a 6 month grace period to pay the maintenance fee along with a penalty surcharge to keep your patent in force. If you fail to pay the maintenance fees, your patent will expire.
Can I Extend the Duration of My Patent?
Under certain circumstances, you can extend the duration of your patent. Generally, if the USPTO or another government organization has deprived you of any of the enjoyment of the rights granted to you by the patent, you can get an extension. However, no extension will exceed five years. Some of the common circumstances resulting in the extension of a patent occur when:
- The application is initially denied and you win on appeal.
- The USPTO takes a lot of time trying to decide if your invention infringes on another patent, and then decides it doesn't infringe.
- You invented a drug, medical device, food additive, or color additive and although you have a patent, you have to wait for the FDA to approve it before you can put it to commercial use. The USPTO enacted the Patent Term Restoration Program to deal with this very problem. The PTR Program restores up to 5 years from the time lost waiting for FDA approval.
Do I Need a Patent Attorney?
If you have questions about the duration of your patent, you may want to consult a patent attorney. An experienced patent lawyer can explain the rules governing the length of your patent term and can help you ensure that your invention will be protected for as long as possible.
Consult a Lawyer - Present Your Case Now!
Last Modified: 05-14-2013 11:03 AM PDT
