How long is a patent protection valid?

Patents have a maximum life of 20 years counting from the day the patent application was filed. To uphold the validity of the patent implies payment of an annual current fee. Otherwise the patent will lapse.

In special cases it is possible to obtain a supplementary certificate of protection that protects a patented product after the 20 year deadline has lapsed. That certificate is issued by the Patent and Trademark Office upon application.