35 U.S.C. § 173 — Term of design patent (MPEP Coverage Index) – BlueIron IP
35 U.S.C. § 173 Term of design patent
This page consolidates MPEP guidance interpreting 35 U.S.C. § 173, including 13 rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.
Summary
Design patents issued from applications filed on or after May 13, 2015 are granted for a term of fifteen years from the date of grant.
What this section covers
- This section covers the term length for design patents issued from applications filed on or after May 13, 2015.
Key obligations
- Ensure design patents are granted for a term of fifteen years from the date of grant.
- Be aware of this term duration to properly manage the lifecycle of design patents.
- Comply with USC 35 and CFR provisions for maintaining the term of design patents.
Practice notes
- Ensure all design applications filed on or after May 13, 2015 are accurately set for a fifteen-year term from grant.
- Review and update any existing design patents to ensure they comply with the new term duration requirements.
Official MPEP § 173 — Term of design patent
Source: USPTOLast Modified: 10/30/2024 08:50:22
35 U.S.C. 173 Term of design patent.
Patents for designs shall be granted for the term of 15 years from the date of grant.
(Amended Aug. 27, 1982, Public Law 97-247, sec. 16, 96 Stat. 321; Dec. 8, 1994, Public Law 103-465, sec. 532(c)(3), 108 Stat. 4987; amended Dec. 18, 2012, Public Law 112-211, sec. 102(7) (effective May 13, 2015), 126 Stat. 1532.)
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- Design Priority Benefit
- Design Term
- International Design
- Hague Principles
- Ida Grant
- Ida Requirements
- Ida Title Description
| MPEP Section | Rules |
|---|---|
| MPEP § 1505 | |
| MPEP § 2701 | |
| MPEP § 2903 | |
| MPEP § 2950 |