The Speed Dial Screen ........................................................................................................................ 13. Working in the Speed Dial Screen ........................................................................................................ 14. Managing Your Speed Dial List ...........................................................................................................
(As of year 2005). Answer: Utility and plant patents are granted for a term which begins with the date of the grant and usually ends 20 years from the date the applications were filed. You must make the timely payment of the appropriate maintenance fees. Design patents last 14 years from the date you are granted the patent. No maintenance fees are required for design patents.
If you were initially granted less time than later legislation allows, you may be eligible to request an extension on your patent for the newer patent term. Under the Uruguay Rounds Agreements Act, utility patents granted before June of 1995 may be given an extension to 20 years instead of the original 17 years.