When is a patent defined as "expired"?

Expired patent refers to the phenomenon when the patent has run out of its maximum lifetime.

The term of a patent is the maximum time during which it can be maintained in force. It can vary based on the type of patent and the jurisdiction, but it is usually expressed in a number of years either starting from the date of the patent application or from the date of grant of the patent. Almost all patents last 20 years if kept in force.

In most jurisdictions, patent annuities (renewals) or maintenance fees have to be regularly paid in order to keep the patent in force. We consider a patent expired when it either reaches its maximum term time or the grant holder does not pay the renewal fee in due time.

Reinstating an expired patent is an extensive and costly procedure with no guarantee of success.

Related:

What does your renewal flow look like?

When is a patent defined as "expired"?

Read more about...

What is a Subscription invoice?
Find out how the service fee is invoiced when choosing the Bulk payment plan.
Read Next
Which renewal requires a letter of Power of Attorney (PoA)?
Find out which local representation requires a letter of Power of Attorney.
Read Next
What is a credit note?
Find out the purpose of a credit note when we don’t receive a Deposit Request/Invoice and Deposit Request amount.
Read Next