Term of patent

Thus, a patent may lapse before its term if a renewal fee is not paid in due time.

Significant international harmonization of patent term across national laws was provided in the 1990s by the implementation of the WTO's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs Agreement).

This however does not forbid the states party to the WTO from providing, in their national law, other type of patent-like rights with shorter terms.

[3] For EEA member states this is by means of a supplementary protection certificate.

The reasons for extensions include: For design patents (patents based on decorative, non-functional features), for design applications filed on or after May 13, 2015, the term is 15 years from the issue date.