patentDate

patentDate refers to the specific date on which a patent application was filed or a patent was granted. This date is a crucial piece of information in patent law and practice, as it often determines the priority of invention and the duration of patent protection. When a patent application is filed, it is assigned a filing date, which establishes the applicant's right to claim priority from that date. This filing date is significant for determining novelty and inventive step against prior art that may have been published or made public on or after that date.

The grant date, on the other hand, is the date on which the patent office officially issues the patent. This date marks the commencement of the patent's term of protection, which is typically a set number of years from the filing date. Understanding the distinction between the filing date and the grant date is essential for calculating patent terms, assessing infringement, and managing intellectual property portfolios. For example, a patent may have a filing date of January 1, 2020, and a grant date of October 15, 2022. The patent term would then be calculated from January 1, 2020, for a predetermined period, such as 20 years. The patentDate is a fundamental element for establishing rights and obligations within the patent system.