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    | Ø | First patent issued in July 1790 
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    | Ø | Began numbering patents
    in 1836; already 
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    | 4000 in existence at this date 
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    | Ø | Approx. 3100 PTP employees 
 |  | 
   
    | Ø | In U.S. patent applications are held in 
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    | confidence until patent application is 
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    | published (within 18
    months of filing) 
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    | Ø | Utility patent term of rights: 20 years from date 
 | 
   
    | you first apply 
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    | Ø | Design patent term of rights: 14 years 
 |  |