What is the effect of international publication on patent rights?

Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-27

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

The international publication of a PCT application has several important effects on patent rights:

  • It establishes provisional protection in designated States, similar to the effect of national publication of a national application.
  • In the United States, it confers the right to reasonable royalty protection under 35 U.S.C. 154(d).
  • The published application can serve as prior art as of its international filing date for novelty and inventive step considerations.

As stated in MPEP 1857: “The international publication of a PCT application designating the United States has the same effect as publication of a United States application under 35 U.S.C. 122(b).”

Tags: international publication, patent rights, prior art, provisional protection, reasonable royalty