How long does a patent last?

In New York, patents last for 20 years from the date the patent application was filed. A patent is a legal protection that allows an inventor exclusive rights over their invention. During the patent period, the inventor has full legal rights to stop others from producing, using, or selling a similar product, as well as the right to collect royalties from anyone who does. Once the patent expires, the invention passes into the public domain and anyone can copy, use, and sell the invention without any repercussions. After the expiration of the patent, any improvements or further developments to the invention, such as new features or a different design, can be patented. Since patents are expensive to apply for and maintain, many inventors may not renew their patents past the 20-year mark. Furthermore, the 20-year period starts from the time the patent application was initially filed, not when it was approved by the US Patent and Trademark Office. Thus, inventors should file their patent applications as soon as possible to get the maximum period of protection.

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