What is the process for obtaining international intellectual property protection?

Obtaining international intellectual property protection begins with applying to your local governmental authority for a patent, trademark, design patent, or copyright registration. This step will provide a basic level of protection within the country where the registration is requested. However, for a global scope of protection, additional steps are required. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) offers an international protection system for patents, trademarks, and designs. The first step to this system is to file an international application with the WIPO, which will serve as a basis for obtaining protection in several countries. In most cases, this will provide a basis for protection in a few countries. For broader coverage, certain countries or regions of the world may require separate applications to obtain protection. Countries such as the European Union, Australia, and Brazil have their own systems to obtain protection, which require separate and distinct applications. After filing the applications, the process can take time. Many countries require examinations of the applications and may have additional criteria to meet before the applications are granted. The process can take months or even years before some countries grant protection. In the end, obtaining international intellectual property protection requires multiple steps and can take considerable time. However, this process can be worth the effort if your business needs protection for its intellectual property in multiple countries across the world.

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What is the process for obtaining international intellectual property protection?

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