The Budapest System Explained
Transcript
Imagine you've developed an invention involving a microorganism — something that could revolutionize medicine or energy production — and you're seeking patent protection. A key requirement when you apply for a patent is that you provide enough information so that the invention could be reproduced by an expert if needed.
When microorganisms are involved, a written description alone usually isn't enough — you may need to deposit a physical sample at a culture collection. If you plan on filing in multiple jurisdictions, you'd normally have to make several deposits, one for each country.
That's where the Budapest Treaty, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization, comes in. Under the Budapest System, you only need to deposit your microorganism once with an international depositary authority. These authorities are specialized institutions that store microorganisms under strict quality and safety standards, and they issue deposit certificates, vital documents for your patent application.
The single deposit at one of these authorities is recognized by all members of the Budapest Treaty, significantly streamlining the patent procedure. It also ensures that patent offices and authorized third parties can access your sample if they need to.
By making this recognition mechanism work, the Budapest System simplifies global patent filings, encourages innovation and helps inventors bring their discoveries to market more efficiently.
Imagine you've developed an invention involving a microorganism — something that could revolutionize medicine or energy production — and you're seeking patent protection. A key requirement when you apply for a patent is that you provide enough information so that the invention could be reproduced by an expert if needed.
When microorganisms are involved, a written description alone usually isn't enough — you may need to deposit a physical sample at a culture collection. If you plan on filing in multiple jurisdictions, you'd normally have to make several deposits, one for each country.
That's where the Budapest Treaty, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization, comes in. Under the Budapest System, you only need to deposit your microorganism once with an international depositary authority. These authorities are specialized institutions that store microorganisms under strict quality and safety standards, and they issue deposit certificates, vital documents for your patent application.
The single deposit at one of these authorities is recognized by all members of the Budapest Treaty, significantly streamlining the patent procedure. It also ensures that patent offices and authorized third parties can access your sample if they need to.
By making this recognition mechanism work, the Budapest System simplifies global patent filings, encourages innovation and helps inventors bring their discoveries to market more efficiently.
20. Mai 2025