How long does design protection last?
In Canada, the term of industrial design protection can last up to fifteen years from the original filing date, subject to payment of a maintenance fee after the first five years. United States design patents have a fifteen-year non-renewable term, counting from the date of grant of the design patent, and no maintenance fees are required. In contrast, a design registration covering the European Union has a term of twenty-five years, subject to payment of a maintenance fee every five years.
After the registration term expires, the design falls into the public domain and is free for anyone to use.