取得專利權（證書）後，法律給予開始對侵權者主張損害賠償的權利，但有法律追溯期，理由是法律設計希望權利擁有者應積極維護權利，不要讓權利睡著了，法律不保障睡著的權利。以下列舉幾個國家的規定，看來規定有些差異，角度也不同，如美國是自提出訴訟時損害陪常可追溯至前六年內；台灣則是得知後兩年內應提告。
美國：
專利法第286條規定追溯損害賠償的期限，主張侵權告訴者，在侵權訴訟中不得對提出告訴/反訴前超過6年的侵權行為主張專利權。
35 U.S.C. 286 TIME LIMITATION ON DAMAGES.
Except as otherwise provided by law, no recovery shall be had for any infringement committed more than six years prior to the filing of the complaint or counterclaim for infringement in the action.
In the case of claims against the United States Government for use of a patented invention, the period before bringing suit, up to six years, between the date of receipt of a written claim for compensation by the department or agency of the Government having authority to settle such claim, and the date of mailing by the Government of a notice to the claimant that his claim has been denied shall not be counted as a part of the period referred to in the preceding paragraph.
中華民國：
專利法第96條規定，侵害專利權損害賠償的請求權，以及發明人姓名表示權的請求項，規定追溯期為知有損害及賠償義務人時起兩年內，也就是得知有侵權行為後（如得到證據、發出律師函日起）應於兩年內行駛權利。
第九十六條 發明專利權人對於侵害其專利權者，得請求除去之。有侵害之虞者，得請求防止之。
發明專利權人對於因故意或過失侵害其專利權者，得請求損害賠償。
發明專利權人為第一項之請求時，對於侵害專利權之物或從事侵害行為之原料或器具，得請求銷毀或為其他必要之處置。
專屬被授權人在被授權範圍內，得為前三項之請求。但契約另有約定者，從其約定。
發明人之姓名表示權受侵害時，得請求表示發明人之姓名或為其他回復名譽之必要處分。
第二項及前項所定之請求權，自請求權人知有損害及賠償義務人時起，二年間不行使而消滅；自行為時起，逾十年者，亦同。
中华人民共和国专利法第68條規定侵犯專利權的訴訟時效為"得知或應當得知"侵權行為之日起2年內；若在授予權利前已得知者，應自專利權授予之日起算。
中华人民共和国专利法第六十八条
侵犯专利权的诉讼时效为二年，自专利权人或者利害关系人得知或者应当得知侵权行为之日起计算。发明专利申请公布后至专利权授予前使用该发明未支付适当使用费的，专利权人要求支付使用费的诉讼时效为二年，自专利权人得知或者应当得知他人使用其发明之日起计算，但是，专利权人于专利权授予之日前即已得知或者应当得知的，自专利权授予之日起计算。
歐洲：
視各會員國國內法而定。
Art. 64 (3) Any infringement of a European patent shall be dealt with by national law.
英國：
英國專利法第61條規範被專利侵權者可以主張：禁制令、令其交出或是銷毀侵權部分的產品、損害賠償、交出因為侵權獲得的利益、宣告專利有效以及侵權的事實。
其中並未明確提出追溯期，但也於第62條中提到以上侵權主張的限制：
(1) 侵權者證明自己並不曉得侵權，不知道相關專利的存在；被侵權者的產品並未標示「有專利」或是「已專利」的標示；
(2) 在專利未繳維持費的期間；
(3) 獲准專利的專利說明書經修改，在修改之前的侵權行為判斷應考量：侵權者是否合理知悉有侵權行為、是否專利說明書善意公開而讓人知道侵權的可能，以及是否有程序善意。
Restrictions on recovery of damages for infringement
62.-(1) In proceedings for infringement of a patent damages shall not be awarded, and no order shall be made for an account of profits, against a defendant or defender who proves that at the date of the infringement he was not aware, and had no reasonable grounds for supposing, that the patent existed; and a person shall not be taken to have been so aware or to have had reasonable grounds for so supposing by reason only of the application to a product of the word “patent” or “patented”, or any word or words expressing or implying that a patent has been obtained for the product, unless the number of the patent accompanied the word or words in question.
(2) In proceedings for infringement of a patent the court or the comptroller may, if it or he thinks fit, refuse to award any damages or make any such order in respect of an infringement committed during the further period specified in section 25(4) above, but before the payment of the renewal fee and any additional fee prescribed for the purposes of that subsection.
(3) Where an amendment of the specification of a patent has been allowed under any of the provisions of this Act, the court or comptroller shall, when awarding damages or making an order for an account of profits in proceedings for an infringement of the patent committed before the decision to allow the amendment, take into account the following –
(a) whether at the date of infringement the defendant or defender knew, or had reasonable grounds to know, that he was infringing the patent;
(b) whether the specification of the patent as published was framed in good faith and with reasonable skill and knowledge;
(c) whether the proceedings are brought in good faith.
（未完 待續）
Ron
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