How long does a patent last for?

May 11, 2008
Intellectual Property News and Interesting Facts

The provisional patent is valid for a period of 12 months, this giving the applicant the time to test his invention and to appraise its marketability. At any time during this period an application can be made for a full patent, and in this case it must be made through a patent attorney. The applicant himself can also make this application by doing an international reservation in member countries of the PCT (Patent Co-operation Treaty System). If the applicant makes this application in a private capacity he or she will receive a huge discount on the reservation fee. A patent lasts for 20 years but must be renewed annually by the patentee.