A patent cannot be renewed beyond its maximum term, which is generally 20 years from the date of filing. Patent owners must pay periodic renewal or maintenance fees to keep the patent active within this term. If the patent owner fails to pay these fees, the patent may lapse and could potentially be reinstated in limited circumstances if the delay was unintentional, but once the full patent term expires, it cannot be renewed. The invention then enters the public domain and can be freely used by anyone.
Patent Renewal Details
- Renewal fees are usually due annually after a few years from the filing date.
- Patent owners have a limited grace period to pay late fees and may file petitions for reinstatement if fees were missed unintentionally.
- After the maximum patent term (usually 20 years), no extension or renewal is possible.
- In some cases, patent term extensions may be granted due to regulatory delays, primarily for pharmaceuticals, but these are exceptions.
Summary
Patents provide a limited monopoly that must be actively maintained through fees, and while restoration is possible if fees are missed unintentionally, patents cannot be renewed beyond their fixed term. Once expired, patents enter the public domain and cannot be revived.
