What is the renewal year used in the Self-Service tool?
RenewalsDesk Definition
Patent offices variously refer to different time periods related to the patent renewal. For clarity, RenewalsDesk uses one consistent system, which is:
The renewal year quoted is the number of the next year of the patent lifetime for which paying the renewal will allow the patent to remain in force.
Examples
The first year of the patent’s life is Year 1, which starts on the date defined below, and ends on the first anniversary of the date defined below.
A renewal for Year 5 pays for Year 5 of the patent’s life. Year 5 starts on the fourth anniversary of the date below, and ends on the fifth anniversary.
For countries where renewals are made less frequently, a renewal for Year 8 refers to a renewal that allows the patent to remain in force for Year 8 and beyond – until another renewal is required.
Relevant Date
The date from which counting begins is the date the patent office starts counting the years of the life of the patent.