What is an international patent?

An international patent is a patent that is recognized in more than one country. It is a legal protection that is granted to an inventor for a new, useful, and non-obvious invention. In order to receive an international patent, the inventor must file an application in each of the countries in which they are seeking protection for their invention. In Nevada, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has sole responsibility for granting patents for inventions developed in the United States. The USPTO also administers four international treaties that allow applicants to file a single, international application for patent protection in multiple countries. These treaties include the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the European Patent Convention (EPC), the Hague Agreement, and the Madrid Protocol. When a patent is granted by the USPTO, it is enforceable only in the United States, so it is important to consider whether international patent protection is necessary for an invention. In order to receive protection in another country, an application must be filed with that country’s patent authority. The fees and requirements for filing an international patent are typically more expensive and complex than those for filing a domestic patent. Once an international patent is granted, the inventor has legal protection for their invention in each of the countries listed in the patent. This protection is valid for up to 20 years, depending on the country. International patents are an important form of protection for inventors who are looking to protect their inventions in multiple countries.

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What is an international patent?

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