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
Australia
24
Republic of Ireland
14
the Netherlands
15
the United States
78
Pakistan
15
Switzerland
18
Canada
10
the United Kingdom
95
Austria
37
Poland
2507
Germany
178
Egypt
12
Greece
11
India
42