13. Renewals

Renewing a patent 

Patents are granted for a maximum period of twenty years measured from the date of filing of the complete specification. Renewal fees are due at the end of the 4th, 7th, 10th and 13th years of a patent. If renewal fees are not paid within six months of the renewal due date the patent will lapse. Renewal fees may be paid online. It is the responsibility of the patent owner to ensure that renewal fees are paid.

Renewals are only payable on granted patents. Where a scheduled renewal due date falls within four months of the grant date of the patent, the applicant will have up to four months from the patent grant date to pay all of the renewal fees due to date.

At the end of the twenty year term the Patent will be marked as expired on the register.