Patent Term Restoration

Patent Term Restoration is a process that allows inventors to extend the life of their patents beyond the standard protection period, which is usually 20 years from the filing date. This extension is often necessary because regulatory approvals, like those for pharmaceuticals, can take a long time, leaving less time for the inventor to profit from their invention. By restoring some of this lost time, the patent owner can maintain exclusive rights to their invention for a longer period, promoting innovation and providing a financial incentive for research and development.