Office-Products · Iconic Everyday Products
Are Post-it Notes Patented?
Spencer Silver and Art Fry's foundational repositionable-adhesive patents (including US 5,194,299) have all expired. 3M still holds the Post-it® trademark and several improvement patents on newer adhesive formulations.
Quick answer
Originally yes — primary patents now expired
Spencer Silver and Art Fry's foundational repositionable-adhesive patents (including US 5,194,299) have all expired. 3M still holds the Post-it® trademark and several improvement patents on newer adhesive formulations.
Key patents on the Post-it Notes
Every patent number below is a live USPTO record — click through to read the original claims on Google Patents.
- US 5,194,299 (1993) — Improved repositionable adhesive formulation. Status: expired / public domain.
What to know
- All foundational Post-it patents have expired — generic sticky notes are fully legal.
- The Post-it® and canary-yellow color trademarks are what 3M still actively enforces.
Have your own invention idea?
If a product like Post-it Notescan get patent protection, your idea probably can too — assuming it’s novel. The cheapest first step is a provisional patent application, which locks in your priority date for 12 months while you validate the market. LegalZoom files provisionals from $199 + USPTO fees; you can also read the official USPTO patent basics first if you prefer.
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