What are the recognized regional patent offices for foreign filing?
MPEP 213.01 lists several recognized regional patent offices for foreign filing. These include:
- European Patent Office (EPO)
- Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO)
- African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI)
- African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)
Applications filed in these regional offices are considered as having been filed in all member states of the respective organizations. This allows applicants to seek patent protection in multiple countries through a single application process.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 200 - Types and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure