Sources

Every source cited anywhere on this site. Government and regulatory sources set the rules; company-published sources state what a company says about itself and are labeled that way.

1. USPTO — Managing a patent USPTO
   A utility patent's term is generally 20 years from the earliest filing date, subject to maintenance fees; it grants only the right to exclude.
2. USPTO — Types of patent applications USPTO
   Utility, design and plant patents; a provisional application is abandoned 12 months after filing and is not examined.
3. USPTO — Maintain your patent USPTO
   Maintenance fees are due 3 to 3.5, 7 to 7.5 and 11 to 11.5 years after issue, with surcharge grace periods to 4, 8 and 12 years.
4. USPTO — MPEP § 1505 Term of Design Patent USPTO
   Design patents from applications filed on or after May 13, 2015 last 15 years from grant (35 U.S.C. 173).
5. Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) USPTO
   The examination manual the patent bar is tested on; open book during the exam.
6. USPTO — Finding a patent practitioner USPTO
   USPTO guidance on finding and verifying a registered patent attorney or agent.
7. Wysebridge — Patent law firm directory Wysebridge (publisher of this site)
   U.S. patent law firms, browsable by state, built from USPTO practitioner data.