What are the PCT member countries?

Does an international PCT patent application cover the whole world? No, a PCT application does not cover every country. Here is a list of non-member countries. Depending upon your foreign patent goals, there is a good probability that the member PCT countries are sufficient for you. Which PCT countries make sense for you? As you […]

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What PCT strategy would help a US national stage application?

Is there a PCT strategy that will benefit your US national stage? The PCT application is more than something to push back deadlines. While the deferral benefits of a PCT application may be more well known, the PCT can be an effective tool to streamline national stage filings. In fact, the PCT application can help […]

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How to prepare a PCT application for US national stage entry

How to prepare a PCT application for optimal US national stage entry PCT applications are typically filed in the country of the applicant or with International Bureau. Though an applicant may desire international patent protection, the PCT application is usually drafted by the local patent counsel in the applicant’s home country. So a PCT application […]

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How to choose patent foreign countries

Choosing patent foreign countries A US patent provides a patent owner with rights only in the US. That might be enough for patent owners who do not care about sales or manufacturing of infringing products done in foreign countries. But, what if you do care about infringing activity happening abroad? You will need to file […]

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How much does a US national stage application cost?

What is the cost of filing a US national stage application? The initial cost of filing a Us national stage application based on a PCT application can vary widely depending upon teh US law firm or attorney. Some US firms charge hourly rates while others, like ours, charge flat rates. If the specification has already […]

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First file PCT or US patent application?

Should you file PCT or US patent application first? When you need patents in the US and foreign countries, you must ultimately file multiple patent applications. The question is which patent application should be filed first. US applicants seeking patents worldwide will often consider filing both a US nonprovisional patent application and an international PCT […]

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Patent abstract: Traps for the unwary

What is a patent abstract? A patent abstract is a short section of a utility patent that concisely summarizes the invention. Preferably located after the claims, the abstract should commence on a separate sheet under the heading “Abstract” or “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is not to disclose all the details […]

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How to Amend PCT Application

Does Your PCT Application Require Any Amendments? Before delving into the complexities of filing amendments to a PCT application, the initial question to consider is whether an amendment is even necessary. For example, if you have a co-pending US application with claims that received a first action allowance, then PCT amendments might be unnecessary. Here […]

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US National Stage Entry Based on PCT Application: What to Know

US National Stage Application: The Basics For most international patent applicants, the US is one of the top national phase PCT countries to be considered. This practical guideline will help non-US applicants prepare for national stage entry into the US. Let’s begin with the basics of filing a national stage application with the USPTO based […]

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