You are here:
- Home
- Business
- Corporate Law
- Copyright & Patents
- patent term
Copyright & Patents/patent term
Advertisement
Question
If I look up a patent number on uspto.gov, is there a way to tell when it expires? I know before 1995 it goes by issue date (or their choice?), and after that it goes by file date, but I think there are some special circumstances. Thanks.
Before 1995, the term for a utility patent is 17 years after allowance.
Now, it is 20 years from the formal filing date, unless extended. Any extensions are listed on the front page. If the U.S.Patent office takes too long to process, at their end, additional time is tacked on to the 20 years.
Best wishes on your projects,
George H. Morgan
Patent Agent
http://www.evansville.net/biz/patagent
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
George H. Morgan, P.E., Patent Agent
Expertise
U.S. Patent Law only, no copyright or trademark qualification. I was a volunteer in the past, but my homeland defense activities pulled me away at times, and I was dropped. If you want me back, I am willing to come back.
Experience
Thirty one years as a Registered U.S. Patent Agent and a lifetime in product and manufacturing process and methods development as well as sales and marketing of new products with a number of blue chip corporations.
Organizations
Rotary, Society of Automotive Engineers, American Army Aviation Association, Registered Professional Engineer, St. Vincent De Paul Society, Indiana Guard Reserve Officer
Publications
Various Society of Manufacturing Engineers & Society of Automotive Engineers technical publications. Ref. my web site: http://www.evansville.net/biz/patagent
Education/Credentials
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Machine Design Option), L.S.U., Baton Rouge, Louisiana; M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics Option), University of Missouri at Rolla, Missouri, Helicopter Maintenance Course, 18 weeks, Ft. Sill Army Aviation School, Troop Information and Education Leadership Course, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, Numerous Society of Automotive Engineers Seminars, Dale Carnegie Management Training Instructors Course.
Awards and Honors
Bausch & Lomb Science Award, Indiana Homeland Defense Service Ribbon, 2003.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.