美國專利核准後（領證後）的修正

updated on May 15, 2013
 
台灣專利中，若申請人欲對經核准的專利案提出修改，稱為「更正」，更正程序相對嚴格，以不超過核准範圍為主，修改即限於誤繕與範圍限縮

相對來說，美國專利可能提供了多點彈性的方案---

領證後的專利可透過再領證（re-issue）來修改權利範圍，甚至於領證後兩年內提出再領證，還可實質擴大範圍，只不過仍會接受再一次的審查程序，多了一點被核駁的可能性

美國專利法第252條（35 USC 307）描述了再領證的影響範圍
[原文]
§252. Effect of reissue
The surrender of the original patent shall take effect upon the issue of the reissued patent, and every reissued patent shall have the same effect and operation in law, on the trial of actions for causes thereafter arising, as if the same had been originally granted in such amended form, but in so far as the claims of the original and reissued patents are substantially identical, such surrender shall not affect any action then pending nor abate any cause of action then existing, and the reissued patent, to the extent that its claims are substantially identical with the original patent, shall constitute a continuation thereof and have effect continuously from the date of the original patent.
本段說明，經再領證的專利案仍與其他專利案具有相同的效果，如果經過再領證的案子與再領證前實質上具有相同的權利範圍，即便reissue審理期間有繫屬（pending）的時間，並不會對專利權有任何影響

A reissued patent shall not abridge or affect the right of any person or that person's successors in business who, prior to the grant of a reissue, made, purchased, offered to sell, or used within the United States, or imported into the United States, anything patented by the reissued patent, to continue the use of, to offer to sell, or to sell to others to be used, offered for sale, or sold, the specific thing so made, purchased, offered for sale, used, or imported unless the making, using, offering for sale, or selling of such thing infringes a valid claim of the reissued patent which was in the original patent. The court before which such matter is in question may provide for the continued manufacture, use, offer for sale, or sale of the thing made, purchased, offered for sale, used, or imported as specified, or for the manufacture, use, offer for sale, or sale in the United States of which substantial preparation was made before the grant of the reissue, and the court may also provide for the continued practice of any process patented by the reissue that is practiced, or for the practice of which substantial preparation was made, before the grant of the reissue, to the extent and under such terms as the court deems equitable for the protection of investments made or business commenced before the grant of the reissue.
經再領證的專利並不會限制或是影響任何人或是其繼承人在再領證核准前已經（或完成準備）製造、販賣、提供銷售、使用或是進口（美國）的權利繼續製造、販賣、提供銷售、使用或是進口。除非這些行為相關的物品侵害了此再領證案中已經存在於原始母案中的權利範圍。

根據再審的規定，再審（re-examination）也是一個適當的程序，雖然再審如同「舉發」一般，由任何人（any person，包括申請人，37 CFR 1.510）提出，但也是一個獲取/修改不同專利範圍的時間！
請參閱：http://enpan.blogspot.com/2009/05/reexaminationusc-307.html

Ron