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 — Trademark, patent, or copyright USPTO
   The USPTO's explanation of how the three main types of intellectual property differ.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. U.S. Copyright Office — How long does copyright protection last? U.S. Copyright Office
   Works created on or after January 1, 1978: life of the author plus 70 years; works made for hire: 95 years from publication or 120 from creation, whichever expires first.
5. USPTO — Types of patent applications USPTO
   Utility, design and plant patents; a provisional application is abandoned 12 months after filing and is not examined.
6. USPTO — How much does it cost? (trademarks) USPTO
   Base trademark application fee: $350 per class of goods or services.
7. USPTO — Finding a patent practitioner USPTO
   USPTO guidance on finding and verifying a registered patent attorney or agent.
8. Wysebridge — Patent law firm directory Wysebridge (publisher of this site)
   U.S. patent law firms, browsable by state, built from USPTO practitioner data.