Generally, the term of a utility patent is 20 years from the date on which the application for the patent was filed in the United States or, in special cases, from the date an earlier related application was filed, subject to the payment of maintenance fees.

A design patent has a term of 14 years from grant, and no fees are necessary to maintain a design patent in force.

The term of a plant patent shall be 20 years from the date on which the application for the patent was filed in the United States or, if the application contains a specific reference to an earlier filed application under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121 or 365(c), from the date the earliest such application was filed.

Under certain circumstances, patent term extensions or adjustments may be available.

United States Patent and Trademark Office

The life of a patent is 17 years in the United States.

Basmti rice

Cheryl H. Agris has written:

'Practitioner's patent guidelines' -- subject(s): United States, United States. Patent and Trademark Office, Patent practice, Rules and practice