What is the duration of patent protection for inventive concepts?

Patent protection for inventive concepts typically lasts for 20 years from the filing date. This period grants the patent holder exclusive rights to the invention, allowing them to prevent others from making, using, selling, or distributing the patented invention without permission. This duration is a key aspect of patent law, as it strikes a balance between encouraging innovation by providing inventors with a temporary monopoly on their inventions and eventually allowing the public to benefit from those inventions once the patent expires.

The 20-year term begins from the earliest filing date of a patent application, which incentivizes prompt filing and helps establish a clear timeline for when the patent will expire, enabling others to plan for future use of the technology or concept once it is publicly available. This structured timeline helps foster an environment of innovation and knowledge sharing after the patent protection period ends.