The Final Steps of the Patent Process
The final steps of the Patent Process
Maintenance Fees and Expiration Dates
Design patents are valid for 14 years from date of issue, and there are no maintenance fees required. Utility patents are good for 20 years from the date of filing, and there are three sets of maintenance fees due. You can check the USPTO database for current information on the dates the maintenance fees are due and the amount of the fee. We will also notify you, and can pay the maintenance fees for you with a nominal fee for our services.
Licensing, selling your patent, selling your company, enforcing your patent
Many inventors want to build up their company to the point where they can sell it to a larger company. InterContinental IP can assist in negotiating a licensing agreement, preparing your company for an IPO, a merger with another company, or the outright sale of your patent and/or your company to another individual or company. We can also help you to enforce your patent rights against infringers, and to defend you if you are accused of infringing anyone else’s IP.
