After what date is PTA available for filed patents?

The correct answer is based on the implementation of the Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) provisions under the American Inventors Protection Act, which was enacted into law on November 29, 1999. PTA became available for patents that were filed on or after May 29, 2000. This adjustment was established to compensate for delays in the examination process that extend the time it takes for a patent to be granted beyond a certain time frame.

Understanding PTA is important as it extends the patent term based on delays attributed to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), such as exceeding specific time limits for action on an application. As a result, patents filed under this provision benefit from an extended term of protection if there have been undue delays during the examination process.

Being aware of the date when PTA became applicable helps in determining eligibility for patents based on filing dates, and it is crucial for applicants to understand how this can affect the lifespan of their patent rights.