What is patent expiration, and what happens after?
Reviewed by
Dominic Davies, patent attorney (20+ years)
· Last reviewed
September 7, 2026
Patent expiration means the term has ended, either naturally after 20 years (utility patents everywhere) or 15-25 years (design protection, depending on jurisdiction), or early due to a missed maintenance or renewal fee. Once expired, the invention enters the public domain and anyone can make, use or sell it freely.
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