Does the 20-year patent term run from filing or grant?

The 20-year term runs from the earliest effective filing date of the application (the priority date), not from grant. A patent granted 4 years after filing has only 16 years of enforceable life remaining.

What is Patent Term Adjustment (PTA)?

PTA extends the patent term day-for-day to compensate for USPTO delays in examination exceeding 14 months to first office action, 4 months to respond to amendments, or 3 years total pendency. PTA can add months or years to the 20-year base term.

Patent Term Remaining Calculator (20 Years from

How It Works

Calculate remaining patent term based on 20-year term from earliest effective filing date (PCT or national application). Accounts for patent term adjustment (PTA) under 35 U.S.C. § 154(b) for USPTO delays

Each component has a specific meaning:

20-year term from earliest effective filing date — The 20-year term from earliest effective filing date recorded for the scenario being assessed.

Note: Interpret the patent term remaining result against the thresholds and context described above.

How to Use

Enter the 20-year term from earliest effective filing date for the scenario you are assessing. Calculate remaining patent term based on 20-year term from earliest effective filing date (PCT or national application). Accounts for patent term adjustment (PTA) under 35 U.S.C. § 154(b) for USPTO delays. Use the patent term remaining result to inform your calculation.

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