What is the filing date of a U.S. national stage application?

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 filing date of a U.S. national stage application is the same as the international filing date of the PCT application. As stated in the MPEP, “the filing date of the international stage application is also the filing date for the national stage application.” This is based on 35 U.S.C. 363, which provides that “An international application designating the United States shall have the effect, from its international filing date under Article 11 of the treaty, of a national application for patent regularly filed in the Patent and Trademark Office.”

Tags: Filing Date, international application, national stage application, PCT