Your Jargon-Free Guide to Patent Term Adjustment
What is a Patent Term Adjustment?
A Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) is a way to extend the life of your patent, especially for utility and plant patent applications. Imagine this as a compensation mechanism for when the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) takes longer than expected to review your patent application. As specified in Section 156 of the Patent Act, it is important to distinguish between a Patent Term Adjustment and a Patent Term Extension.