A patent can be maintained for 20 years. If the patent relates to a medicinal or plant protection product, the term of the patent can in some cases be extended by five years, using supplementary protection.

The patent can cease to be valid when:

• the patent term has expired
• the annual fee has not been paid to PRV
• the patent owner requests that the patent be terminated
• the patent is revoked after opposition
• the patent is declared invalid by a general court, known as annulment

A patent application can be terminated through:

• being rejected by PRV
• being dismissed by PRV
• being withdrawn by the applicant who chooses to give up the exclusive right

More information

Opposition
Annulment
Rejection