What is a continuation patent?

A continuation patent is a type of patent granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office that allows the inventor to make minor or non-material changes to the invention without having to file a completely new patent application. Instead, the inventor can file a continuation patent, which is essentially an extension of the original patent. In the state of Minnesota, a continuation patent is granted the same protections and exclusivity as a new patent. That means that the inventor can prevent others from making, using, or selling the invention for a specified length of time. The length of the protection time varies depending on the patent in question and can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. In some cases, the patent can even be renewed in order to extend its life if the inventor is still able to meet the criteria for a new patent. By filing for a continuation patent, an inventor can save time and money by not having to file a completely new patent application.

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