If you look at Google’s 10-K 2009 filing on Page 15, you will see a statement about when Google’s original PageRank patent expires. It reads:

Some time in 2011 Google’s PageRank patent will become non-exclusive. And then in 2017 the patent will expire completely.

As many of you know, the PageRank algorithm Google uses today is completely different from what it was back when it was first designed. But the fundamentals are the same.

Is Google concerned about this? Page 15 goes on to read:

Personally, I think Google will be fine.

Forum discussion at DigitalPoint Forums.