What if a reissue declaration aims to correct the patent term by deleting a 35 U.S.C. 120 benefit claim?
This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
If the only error identified in the reissue declaration is stated to be the correction or adjustment of the patent term by deleting the 35 U.S.C. 120 benefit claim, the application will be rejected. According to MPEP 1405:
βIf the only error identified in the reissue declaration is stated to be the correction or adjustment of the patent term by deleting the 35 U.S.C. 120 benefit claim, a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 251 should be made, based on the lack of an appropriate error for reissue and failure to comply with 37 CFR 1.175.β
This is because reissue cannot be used to extend the patent term, as 35 U.S.C. 251 only permits reissue βfor the unexpired part of the term of the original patent.β