The PCT: Seeking Patent Protection Beyond Borders
トランスクリプト
If you have an invention with commercial potential, naturally, you'll want to protect it. A patent gives you the legal right to stop others from making, using or selling your invention. But seeking patent protection can be uncertain and costly, especially if you want protection in multiple countries. After filing a patent application in your own country, there are two options to consider when seeking patent protection in other countries.
The first is to take the traditional route and apply for patents in each of the member countries of the Paris Convention. But that means you would need to file separate applications and pay national filing, translation and attorney fees, all within 12 months from the date of the first application without knowing much about your chances of having patents granted.
The other option is the Patent Cooperation Treaty, or PCT for short, administered by WIPO. With the PCT, you file one patent application in one language at one office, within 12 months from the date of your first patent application. This one application has the same legal effect as filing separate patent applications in over 150 participating member countries.
The PCT lets you postpone the significant national fees while you learn about the likelihood of having a patent granted for your invention. Used by majors institutions and businesses of all sizes, the PCT procedure includes the following features.
After filing your PCT application, you'll receive valuable information on your invention's potential patentability provided by the one of the world's leading patent offices. Next, WIPO publishes your PCT application which informs the public and potential investors about your invention. You'll then have additional time to evaluate the information you receive and decide if and where you want to continue pursuing patent protection.
With the PCT, the national filing, translation and attorney fees are due 30 months from the filing of your first patent application. That's 18 months more than you get under the traditional patent system. In the PCT member countries where you choose to pursue protection, the national patent office will decide whether to grant a patent for your invention taking into account the PCT patentability information.
Today, in almost 60% of cases, applicants choose the PCT over the traditional route when seeking patent protection outside of their home countries. In a nutshell, using the PCT gives you a consolidated procedure with multinational legal effect as well as more time and more information than the traditional patenting route. When you use the PCT, you'll enjoy the benefits of postponing major fees and making informed decisions to best suit your business needs.
Whether you are an individual inventor or a small business owner, a university or global company, the PCT is an essential tool for innovators who want to move their businesses beyond their borders. Talk to your patent attorney how to take advantage of the benefits of the PCT.
If you have an invention with commercial potential, naturally, you'll want to protect it. A patent gives you the legal right to stop others from making, using or selling your invention. But seeking patent protection can be uncertain and costly, especially if you want protection in multiple countries. After filing a patent application in your own country, there are two options to consider when seeking patent protection in other countries.
The first is to take the traditional route and apply for patents in each of the member countries of the Paris Convention. But that means you would need to file separate applications and pay national filing, translation and attorney fees, all within 12 months from the date of the first application without knowing much about your chances of having patents granted.
The other option is the Patent Cooperation Treaty, or PCT for short, administered by WIPO. With the PCT, you file one patent application in one language at one office, within 12 months from the date of your first patent application. This one application has the same legal effect as filing separate patent applications in over 150 participating member countries.
The PCT lets you postpone the significant national fees while you learn about the likelihood of having a patent granted for your invention. Used by majors institutions and businesses of all sizes, the PCT procedure includes the following features.
After filing your PCT application, you'll receive valuable information on your invention's potential patentability provided by the one of the world's leading patent offices. Next, WIPO publishes your PCT application which informs the public and potential investors about your invention. You'll then have additional time to evaluate the information you receive and decide if and where you want to continue pursuing patent protection.
With the PCT, the national filing, translation and attorney fees are due 30 months from the filing of your first patent application. That's 18 months more than you get under the traditional patent system. In the PCT member countries where you choose to pursue protection, the national patent office will decide whether to grant a patent for your invention taking into account the PCT patentability information.
Today, in almost 60% of cases, applicants choose the PCT over the traditional route when seeking patent protection outside of their home countries. In a nutshell, using the PCT gives you a consolidated procedure with multinational legal effect as well as more time and more information than the traditional patenting route. When you use the PCT, you'll enjoy the benefits of postponing major fees and making informed decisions to best suit your business needs.
Whether you are an individual inventor or a small business owner, a university or global company, the PCT is an essential tool for innovators who want to move their businesses beyond their borders. Talk to your patent attorney how to take advantage of the benefits of the PCT.
2020年11月18日