The patents expired in 1978 and cheap copies flooded in.
| Where | Status |
|---|---|
| Worldwide or nearly | Free since 1978 |
Limits
"Velcro" is still a trademark: call it hook-and-loop.
Ideas
Classic example for trademark vs patent.
Sources
Checked 31 October 2026. Report a correction.
More patents
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Coming 2028Apixaban (Eliquis)Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer · 2028 · Patents
One of the world's top-selling drugs. US patents end between 2026 and 2027, but settlements put generic entry around April 2028.
US 2028 -
Coming 2027Ibrutinib (Imbruvica)AbbVie, Johnson & Johnson · 2026 · Patents
The US compound patent runs to December 2026, with pediatric exclusivity to June 2027.
US 2027 -
Coming 2027Palbociclib (Ibrance) and dulaglutide (Trulicity)Pfizer; Eli Lilly · 2027 · Patents
Two blockbuster drugs whose key US protection is listed as ending in 2027.
US 2027 -
New in 2026Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy compound)Novo Nordisk · 2026 · Patents
The compound patent on the world's best-selling weight-loss drug ended in early 2026 in Canada (Novo let it lapse), China, India and Brazil. Health Canada received generic filings and generics launched in India.
Canada 2026China 2026India 2026Brazil 2026 -
New in 2026Lapsed patents (unpaid maintenance fees)Patent owners worldwide · 2006 · Patents
Every patent filed 20 years ago (2006) has now expired, and many younger US patents lapse early because owners stop paying maintenance fees at 3.5, 7.5 and 11.5 years. Their full technical drawings and instructions are free to use.
Worldwide 2026 -
New in 2026Sitagliptin (Januvia, Janumet)Merck · 2026 · Patents
Generics were allowed on the US market from May 2026 under a settlement.
US 2026
General information, not legal advice. Copyright, patent and trademark status differs by country, edition and translation: check before you publish or sell. Full disclaimer