Learn how to turn abandoned patents into market-ready products and create new revenue streams without starting from scratch.
What Are Abandoned Patents?
Abandoned patents are inventions that the original owner stopped protecting. This can happen because they didn’t pay renewal fees, the product failed commercially, or they shifted focus to other projects.
Once a patent is abandoned, it enters the public domain—meaning anyone can use, produce, and sell the invention without paying royalties.
Why Abandoned Patents Are a Goldmine
Unlike expired patents (which run their full legal term), abandoned patents may still have many years of commercial relevance.
Key advantages include:
- No R&D costs – The invention is already developed and documented.
- Faster time to market – You can skip most of the design phase.
- Lower competition – Many abandoned patents are overlooked.
Finding Abandoned Patents
To discover promising abandoned patents:
- Use public databases like Google Patents, USPTO PAIR, or WIPO PATENTSCOPE.
- Filter by legal status – Look for “Abandoned” or “Lapsed” in the records.
- Search by industry keywords relevant to your business.
Pro tip: Some valuable abandoned patents are “hidden” in patent families—where one version is abandoned in one country but active in another.
Evaluating Commercial Potential
Not all abandoned patents are worth your time. Ask:
- Is there market demand for the product or process?
- Can it be manufactured cost-effectively?
- Are there newer patents that might block your use?
- Can you add unique features to make it stand out?
Monetization Strategies
Once you find a promising abandoned patent, you can:
- Sell the product directly under your own brand.
- License it to other companies for a fee.
- Integrate the invention into your existing product line.
- Use it as a foundation for new innovations and file your own patents.
Pro Tip: Don’t just copy the original design—improve it. Even small changes can create a new patentable product and help you dominate the market.