Patents were a cutting-edge social policy in the 18th century, and many commentators argue that the strong U.S. patent system enormously contributed to the great technological advances in the 19th and 20th centuries and continue today. Patents are just as relevant as ever. So an understanding of patent expirations (i.e., the time limit of the patent right) is an important element of the entire patent scheme.

History of U.S. Patent Expirations

In the Unites States, patent terms were set at 17 years from the date of grant in 1861. This rule ended on June 8, 1995, when patent terms were brought into compliance with the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement in the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) of 1994 (TRIPS Agreement Art. 33).

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