Foreign application practice

Patents are national creatures.

The issuance of a U.S. patent confers patent rights in the United States alone.  If you want to secure patent rights in foreign countries, you must arrange for a patent filing in each of the foreign countries in which you would like to secure rights.

A number of international treaties have been entered which facilitate the simultaneous filing of patents in multiple countries at reduced cost.  However, under most of these treaties, you must assert rights under the treaty by filing appropriate legal documents within one (1) year of your U.S. patent application filing date.  This date cannot be extended.