🏛️ The Patent Clock That Every Inventor Should Know

🌟 Imagine you've just invented something amazing - how long can you keep others from copying it? This episode answers the fundamental question that every innovator faces: exactly how long does patent protection last?

💡 What You'll Discover:

• 🔍 Why utility patents get 20 years from filing date (not approval date!)
• ⚖️ How design patents work differently - 15 years from grant date
• 🎯 The maintenance fees that can kill your patent early if you forget them
• 🌍 Why the WTO TRIPS Agreement standardized these rules globally

🚀 Key Legal Frameworks Discussed:

• 💎 Utility Patents - The 20-year rule that protects how things work
• ⭐ Design Patents - The 15-year protection for how things look
• 🔧 International Patent Standards - How global agreements shape local laws

🎯 Real-World Impact:

• 📊 Why filing date matters more than approval date for timing
• 💰 How maintenance fees can unexpectedly end your protection
• ⚡ The balance between rewarding inventors and serving public interest

🎙️ Perfect for inventors, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about how innovation gets protected in our modern world. You'll never look at patents the same way again!