The term of a patent from the filing date of the application is:

• A. 15 years
• B. 17 years
• C. 20 years
• D. 25 years

Answer: (C)

The time an invention enjoys exclusive rights is measured from when the patent application is filed. The standard term for a utility patent is twenty years from the earliest filing date of the application (priority date). This base term starts ticking at filing, not at grant, so any delays in examination effectively eat into the period of exclusivity. The idea behind this 20-year horizon is to provide a predictable window for the inventor while ensuring that after the term ends, the invention enters the public domain. In some cases, certain fields may qualify for regulatory extensions or adjustments to compensate for delays, but the fundamental term from filing remains twenty years.