### Question
How is the term covered date defined?


### Answer
The term **covered date** is defined in *35 U.S.C. § 156* as the following:

> the later of—


(A) the date an application is approved—


(i) under section 351(a)(2)(C) of the Public Health Service Act

#### Citation:
  - *35 U.S.C. § 156*
  - Heading: **PART II-PATENTABILITY OF INVENTIONS AND GRANT OF PATENTS > CHAPTER 14-ISSUE OF PATENT**

