Calculating and Modifying the Patent Term (U.S.)

Summary

This practice note discusses calculating and modifying the term of a patent. A patent includes a grant to the patentee of the right to exclude others from the unauthorized practice of the claimed inventions in the United States during the patent term. The patent term begins on the date a patent issues and ends on a fixed date determined by either the application filing date or the patent issue date, subject to modification in certain circumstances. The term of a patent is not subject to renewal.