Continuation applications

[Mariem]

Do patent continuation applications and continuation in part applications replace the earlier application?

Meaning that if there was an "earlier application" that was filed in 2010 and then there was a continuation application of it in 2013 and then in 2015, do we only take the 2015 version into consideration, or do we take into consideration the 3 versions (and then only one of them would be granted)?

(Take into consideration= study it to avoid claim infringement)

Thank you!

[Brad]

Each continuation could be its own separate patent with a separate patent number so I would first look at each one to see if it is truly a valid and issued patent and then if so look at each claim from each of the different continuations plus the original.