Definition
Patent term adjustment (PTA) is additional patent term granted to make up for certain delays caused by the USPTO during examination.
Why It Matters Legally
PTA can add valuable months or years of exclusivity, which matters greatly for high-value patents. Calculating and verifying PTA is an important step at grant, since errors can shorten the term.
Example Use Case
Because the USPTO took longer than allowed to examine the application, the patent receives a term adjustment extending its expiration date.
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Related Terms
Patent Term, Maintenance Fees, Patent Grant, Patent Prosecution, Filing Date