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Patents - International Patent Applications |
International (PCT) Patent Application Procedure
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International Search Report (ISR) and Written Opinion
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International Preliminary Examination (IPE)Optionally, International Preliminary Examination (IPE) can be requested and a fee paid, either 22 months from the priority date or 3 months after issuance of the ISR, which results in an Examination Report being issued. This is useful if amendment of the application proves necessary. In any event, an International Preliminary Report on Patentability (IPRP) is always issued to the Patent Offices in the countries covered by the application. We can advise you on a case by case basis whether or not we believe requesting IPE would be helpful. |
The end of the International Phase - National and Regional Phase EntryAt 30/31 months from the priority date, the application leaves the International Phase and enters the National and Regional Phase. In other words, national and regional applications are made in countries of interest based on the international application as it stands following any amendments in the International Phase. For example, you may wish to file a European patent application which is a regional application, and national applications in the United States, Australia, China and Japan. These applications are then prosecuted individually. |
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