when patent protection expires the invention?

When patent protection expires, the invention covered by the patent enters the public domain, meaning that it becomes freely available for anyone to use, manufacture, or sell without the need to obtain permission or pay royalties to the patent owner. In the United States, the duration of patent protection varies depending on the type of patent granted. Generally, utility patents, which cover new and useful processes, machines, and compositions of matter, are valid for 20 years from the filing date of the patent application, while design patents, which cover new, original, and ornamental designs for an article of manufacture, are valid for 15 years from the date of grant. After the expiration of the patent, the invention becomes part of the public domain and can be freely used by anyone. This can lead to increased competition, lower prices, and more innovation, as others are free to build upon the ideas and technology that were previously protected by the patent.

When a patent protection expires, 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. The duration of a patent depends on the laws of the country in which it was granted, but in most countries, a patent lasts for 20 years from the filing date of the patent application.

Once the patent protection has expired, the invention becomes available for anyone to use and commercialize, which can lead to increased competition and potentially lower prices for consumers. However, inventors may also choose to continue to protect their inventions by keeping them as trade secrets or through other forms of intellectual property protection, such as trademarks or copyrights, which can provide ongoing protection and exclusivity.