patent expiry

Patent expiry occurs when the period of legal protection for an invention ends, typically after 20 years from the filing date. Once the patent expires, the invention enters the public domain, allowing others to freely make, use, or sell the product or process without needing permission or paying royalties. This often leads to increased competition, innovation, and lower prices for consumers. Patent expiry encourages ongoing innovation by ensuring temporary exclusivity, after which the invention becomes accessible for broader use.