In the [[United States]], the term of a utility patent (filed after 1995) is 20 years from the earliest non-provisional U.S. filing date of which the patent application claims the benefit, although that term may be adjusted for excessive delays on the part of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (not those on the part of the applicant).<ref>[http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/documents/appxl_35_U_S_C_154.htm#usc35s154 35 U.S.C. § 154]</ref> | In the [[United States]], the term of a utility patent (filed after 1995) is 20 years from the earliest non-provisional U.S. filing date of which the patent application claims the benefit, although that term may be adjusted for excessive delays on the part of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (not those on the part of the applicant).<ref>[http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/documents/appxl_35_U_S_C_154.htm#usc35s154 35 U.S.C. § 154]</ref> |