If you patent an idea how long does the patent last for?

BQ: As I've got a bad memory i'm not sure if I've tried to patent the idea before. How can I find out if there is a patent in my name?

Gary:

Utility patents last for 20 years..

Since my name is David Korpi I would go to the USPTO and look up my patents like this...

First go here..
patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search...

Then put your name like this in the search box...
Korpi, David

but you use YOUR name...

You will get this..
patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?...

THEN you can go to Google and do the same...

www.google.com/search?q=david+korpi...

Try it with YOUR name..

In the Google search you will find MORE with YOUR name...

I help folks file Provisional Patents for Patent with this link...

provisionalpatentvideo.com/patent-i...
Act QUICK because there is some crazy lawyer out there who HATES when I give useful answers and marks my questions for deletion! Then, Yahoo UNDELETES the answer and DEMERITS their account..

PM me with questions and I can find you if you can not...

Thanks,

Dave