How long is the term for design patents?

The term for design patents varies based on the filing date:

• For design patents issued from applications filed before May 13, 2015: 14 years from the date of patent grant.
• For design patents issued from applications filed on or after May 13, 2015: 15 years from the date of patent grant.

This change is due to the implementation of the Hague Agreement. As stated in the MPEP, Design patents have a term of fourteen years from the date of patent grant, except for any design patent issued from applications filed on or after May 13, 2015 (the date of entry into force of the 1999 Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (“Hague Agreement”) as to the United States) has a term of fifteen years from the date of patent grant.

To learn more:

• design patent
• patent term
• Hague Agreement
• industrial designs