patent term guarantee

patent-term guarantee. An inventor’s statutory right to extend the term of a patent if the application was delayed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. • The term can be extended up to five years if the application was delayed because of an interference proceeding or appellate review, or if the PTO missed a statutory deadline for certain steps in the prosecution, or failed to grant the patent within three years of the filing date. The guarantee took effect May 29, 2000. [Cases: Patents 133. C.J.S. Patents §§ 234–235.]

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词条贡献者

资深译员Laura，毕业于一所培养高级翻译以及跨文化事务专家的精英大学，专注翻译各种与美国公司法规有关的法律文件。