What are certificates issued after a U.S. patent, and how do they affect the patent?
After the issuance of a U.S. patent, several types of certificates can be issued to amend the patent:
- Reexamination Certificates
- Certificates of Correction
- Post-Grant Review Certificates
- Inter Partes Review Certificates
- Derivation Certificates
These certificates can modify the patent in various ways. For example, “A certificate of correction corrects errors in the patent and is considered as part of the original patent. A patent, together with its certificate of correction, will have the same prior art effect as if the original patent was issued in the corrected form.”
It’s important to note that these certificates can affect the claims, specifications, or drawings of the patent, but they cannot enlarge the scope of the claims or introduce new matter.
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