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How long does a patent a trademark, or a copyright protect the holder?

A patent is a government document that grants an inventor the sole right to manufacture his or her invention. A trademark is an officially registered product name; the only one permitted to use that name is the product creator or manufacturer. A copyright gives the creator of a written or artistic work the sole right to reproduce or sell that work.

A utility patent, the type of patent granted for new inventions and processes, is good for 20 years. A design patent, which covers ornamental designs used on manufactured goods, lasts 14 years. Plant patents, which cover new varieties of plants, last for varying periods of time.

The term of a federal trademark is 10 years, with 10-year renewal terms. A trademark can be renewed if the name remains in use, commercially.

The period of time for which a copyright holder is...

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