What is the significance of the Paris Convention for patent applications?
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 Paris Convention plays a crucial role in international patent applications. As stated in MPEP 213.01:
The right of priority under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (Paris Convention) is recognized in the United States.
This means that applicants can claim priority based on an earlier filing in any Paris Convention member country. The Paris Convention facilitates patent protection across multiple countries by allowing a grace period for filing in other member nations while maintaining the priority date of the first filing.