What is the term of a design patent?
The term of a design patent depends on when the application was filed:
- For design applications filed on or after May 13, 2015, the term is 15 years from the date of grant.
- For design applications filed before May 13, 2015, the term is 14 years from the date of grant.
This change was implemented by the Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012 (PLTIA), which took effect on May 13, 2015. The MPEP states:
“Patents issued from design applications filed on or after May 13, 2015 shall be granted for the term of fifteen years from the date of grant.”
To learn more: