Yes patents are good for 20 years but there are still maintenance fees
that need to be paid throughout that time to maintain the patent.  I
believe this is what she is referring to that if they decided not to
renew during that 20 year period how long to keep that record from that
point.

I agree with both Nolene and Larry just to put any documentation on your
decision in with your patent and keep it the normal retention as your
expired ones.


Kelly A. Nelson
Corporate Records Administrator
McGard LLC
[log in to unmask]
716-662-8980   phone
716-662-8985   fax

-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Steven Whitaker
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 7:27 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [RM] Patent Renew/Expire Decisions

I thought USA patents had a 20-year life; per the US Patent & Trademark
Office.  After that anybody could use the process/technology for
whatever purpose, including design and marketing for profit in their own
products.  If so, what is the discussion about renewals?

The language does include "Under certain circumstances, patent term
extensions or adjustments may be available."

Best regards, Steve
Steven D. Whitaker, CRM
Records Systems Manager; City of Reno

>>> [log in to unmask] 12/13/2006 1:32 PM >>>
 
I believe she's referring to the documentation on the decision-making
process on whether or not to renew ... not any documentation regarding
the patent itself.
<snip>

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