Are you looking to protect your invention in multiple countries? Filing an international patent application is the best way to do so. By filing a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and then submitting a PCT application, you can get protection for your invention in a large number of countries. The process of filing an international patent application starts with filing a patent application with the local national patent office. For example, if you are based in the UK, you would file your application with the UK Intellectual Property Office.
If you need protection abroad, you must file foreign patent applications within one year of the priority date. This is known as the priority period. You can also use the Hague Agreement Relating to the International Registration of Industrial Designs to obtain protection for up to 100 industrial designs in certain member countries and intergovernmental organizations by filing a single international application in a single language. If none of the applicants is a resident or national of the United Kingdom, but at least one of the applicants is a resident or national of a PCT member state, a PCT application can still be submitted.
This means that even if you are based in the UK, you can still file a PCT application with the UK Intellectual Property Office. You can decide which countries you want to obtain a patent in up to 30 months after the filing date. When filing an international patent application, you will need to submit a statement, a list of the state of the art and relevant claims to support your application. You will also need it if you file an international patent application within six months of its filing with the USPTO.
The international patent application will be published on a Thursday, shortly after 18 months have elapsed since the priority date. The examination process for an international patent application takes place with interaction between the applicant and examiner (as provided in chapter II). This makes the initial application process easier and cheaper for people who want to apply in several countries at the same time. However, if you wish to obtain foreign registration license before filing a patent application outside the U. S., you will need to do so.
Leave Reply