Am I able to renew my patent?

Am I able to renew my patent?

Matt Dixon (Partner) gives expert video advice on: What is the Patent Office?; When are patents granted?; How do I file for a patent application? and more...

You have to renew your patent every year until it reaches the end of its term, which is 20 years from its filing date. Once it expires, your technology is available for anybody to use. That's the whole point of the patent system, to get the technology out there so that other people can use it once you've had a period of exclusivity.