The term of protection of an invention patent is 20 years, counting from the date of application. However, the patent right is obtained after the application for examination and approval, and the patent examination procedure is complicated. It usually takes about 3 years from the application to the patent certificate. The software copyright protection period is 50 years, and it is protected by copyright from the date of development. Software has been protected by copyright law before obtaining patent right. Applying for a patent does not affect its protection by copyright law. You have enough patience to wait for patent approval.