How do continuing applications affect patent term?

For continuing applications (continuations, divisionals, or continuations-in-part) filed on or after June 8, 1995, the patent term ends 20 years from the filing date of the earliest application to which benefit is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c). This is true even if the earlier application was filed before June 8, 1995. The MPEP states, A patent granted on a continuation, divisional, or continuation-in-part application that was filed on or after June 8, 1995, will have a term which ends twenty years from the filing date of earliest application for which a benefit is claimed.

To learn more:

• continuing applications
• patent term
• priority claim
• earliest filing date