What is the Paris Convention and how does it relate to patent filing?

What is the Paris Convention and how does it relate to patent filing?

The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, commonly known as the Paris Convention, is an international treaty that plays a crucial role in patent filing. According to MPEP 213.01:

The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property sets forth the concept of a ‘convention application’ and a ‘right of priority.’

This means that applicants from member countries can use their first filing date in one member country as the effective filing date in other member countries, provided they file within 12 months. This treaty facilitates international patent protection by allowing inventors to secure a priority date in multiple countries.

To learn more:

• Paris Convention
• International Patents
• Priority Date
• Convention Application