Patent Law FAQ
This FAQ answers all your questions about patent law, patent procedure, and the patent examination process.
Here’s the complete FAQ:
In the context of foreign priority claims, there’s an important distinction between a ‘country’ and a ‘regional patent office’:
- Country: A sovereign nation that has its own patent system and can issue patents directly.
- Regional Patent Office: An intergovernmental organization that processes patent applications on behalf of multiple member countries.
The MPEP states: The right of priority may be based upon an application filed in a foreign country or in a regional patent office.
(MPEP 213)
Regional patent offices, such as the European Patent Office (EPO) or the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), allow applicants to file a single application that can potentially lead to patent protection in multiple member countries.
Topics:
MPEP 200 - Types and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority,
MPEP 213-Right of Priority of Foreign Application,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure