What happens to a patent when it expires?

it becomes the property of the state
ownership rights are inherited
the patent is licensed
It becomes public domain
A patent allows you, and only you, to profit from your genius when you invent something new. No one else can manufacture or sell your invention unless you give permission. When a patent expires, anyone can copy your idea and market it. It becomes public domain
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Answers by country

it becomes the property of the state
ownership rights are inherited
the patent is licensed
It becomes public domain
answers
flagAustralia
4%
4%
0%
91%
24
flagRepublic of Ireland
14%
0%
0%
85%
14
flagthe Netherlands
6%
0%
0%
80%
15
flagPakistan
20%
0%
6%
73%
15
flagthe United States
10%
11%
5%
72%
77
flagSwitzerland
16%
11%
0%
72%
18
flagCanada
10%
20%
0%
70%
10
flagthe United Kingdom
12%
9%
9%
68%
95
flagAustria
16%
0%
16%
67%
37
flagPoland
15%
11%
6%
65%
2505
flagGermany
16%
7%
14%
61%
177
flagEgypt
25%
16%
0%
58%
12
flagGreece
27%
9%
18%
45%
11
flagIndia
35%
2%
23%
38%
42