What is a reissue application in patent law?

A reissue application is a type of patent application used to correct errors in an already issued patent. According to MPEP 201:

“An application for reissue of a patent is an application for a new patent to correct an error in an existing patent.”

Reissue applications are filed when the original patent is wholly or partly inoperative or invalid due to defective specifications, drawings, or by claiming more or less than the patentee had the right to claim. They must be filed by the original patent owner and are subject to specific requirements outlined in 35 U.S.C. 251.

For more information on Patent correction, visit: Patent correction.

For more information on Patent errors, visit: Patent errors.

For more information on reissue application, visit: reissue application.