(706) 638-1453. Walker County originated in 1833. Drawn from the original Cherokee County and part of Murray County, the region owes its name to Major Freeman Walker of Augusta, a lawyer and U.S. senator. Although residents first called the county seat by its Indian name, Chattooga, they later renamed it to honor the Marquis de Lafayette.
Once a patent is issued, a maintenance fee must be paid on the 4th, 8th, and 12th anniversaries of the date of issuance. You have to pay maintenance fees. http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/maintain.jsp Also, patents are not self-enforcing.
Patent protection usually ends when the patent expires. For all utility patents filed before June 8, 1995, the patent term is 20 years from date of filing, or 17 years from date of issuance, whichever period is longer.