Patent protection period, patent validity period and patent right period. The term of patent right refers to the term of patent protection after the patent is granted the right. According to the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC), the term of invention patent is 20 years, utility model patent is 10 year, and design patent is 15 year, all from the date of filing 12. After the expiration of the patent term, the patent becomes invalid and is no longer protected.