How long does software protection last ?

The period of protection depends on the system of protection you chose:

• Copyright protection has a lifespan of 70 years after the death of the author. For more information see the smart guide on software.
• Trade Secrets protection lasts until the information is legally disclosed by you or by someone else, so in theory protection is not limited in time. For more information see the smart guide on trade secrets.
• Patent protection can last a maximum of 20 years (from the filing date of the application). For more information see the smart guide on patents.