FAQs Patent Questions

Question:The term of a new patent is 20 years from the date it was filed in the United States

Answer:
The term of a new patent is 20 years from the date on which the application for the patent was filed in the United States

Question:What is a trade secret?

Answer:
A trade secret is information that companies keep secret to give them an advantage over their competitors. No mechanism exists to federally record or register a trade secret.

Question:The Official Gazette contains information on Expired patents, Patents reinstated and Reissue Applications

Answer:
No. The Official Gazette contains a section at the front of the book called "Patent and Trademark Office Notices." Each week, the following information is published: a. Expired Patents: Patents that expire due to failure to pay required maintenance fees. These patent numbers are published approximately 3 months after expiration. b. Patents Reinstated: Patents reinstated due to the acceptance of a late maintenance fee. c. Reissue Applications: Patents filed as reissues. d. Reexams: Patents requested to be reexamined. e. Certificates of Correction: Patents granted certificates to correct previously published material. f. Summaries of final decisions issued by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

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