when patent expires?

The duration of a patent varies by country, but in most cases, a patent lasts for 20 years from the filing date of the patent application. After this time period, the patent expires and the invention enters the public domain, which means that anyone can make, use, sell, and import the invention without the need for permission or a license from the patent owner.

It is important to note that the patent protection does not expire on the exact day of the 20-year mark, as the patent holder may have filed for patent term adjustments or extensions during the application process. In addition, some countries offer additional patent term extensions for certain circumstances, such as regulatory review for pharmaceuticals.

Once a patent has expired, the invention is no longer protected by the patent system, and the patent owner no longer has the exclusive right to use or license the invention. This can lead to increased competition and potentially lower prices for consumers, but the inventor may also choose to continue to protect the invention through other forms of intellectual property or by keeping it as a trade secret.

The duration of a patent varies by country, but in most cases, a patent expires 20 years from the filing date of the patent application. This means that after the 20-year period has passed, the patent protection expires, and the invention enters the public domain. Once the patent has expired, anyone can make, use, sell, or import the invention without the need for permission or a license from the patent owner.

It is important to note that some countries may have different patent terms or may offer extensions of patent protection for certain circumstances, such as pharmaceuticals or biotechnology inventions. Additionally, patents filed before a certain date may have different terms depending on the laws in effect at the time of filing. It is important to consult the specific laws of the country in question to determine the duration of patent protection.