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
Australia25
the Netherlands15
Republic of Ireland15
Switzerland20
the United States87
Pakistan15
the United Kingdom102
Poland2563
Austria38
Germany193
Canada11
Egypt12
Greece11
India43