US Patents Vs. World Patents
If you invent something, or come up with an idea for a new product or a variation on an old one, you can apply for a patent. The patent gives you exclusive rights to sell your product for a specific period of time.
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U.S. Patents
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U.S. patents are handled by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Apply to this office to receive a U.S. patent.
World Patents
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As of yet, there are no world patents. The information clearinghouse for patents around the world is the World Intellectual Property Organization. Applying to international patent agencies, such as the European Patent Office or the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization, can offer you protection for your product in multiple countries.
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Other Countries
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A patent is only valid in the country in which it was issued. Rather than apply for several countries' patents at once, you may file one patent application with the World Intellectual Property Organization, and each country can decide whether to grant the patent.
Legal Help
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Because of the variance and complexity of patent applications among countries, including fees, you should hire a patent lawyer native to the country where you are applying for the patent.
Application
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To apply for a U.S. patent, you must fill out a series of forms and mail them to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The process is the same when applying for patents from other countries. The most important part is the "claims" section, which outlines what makes your product unique. Be thorough in this part, and follow all rules to the letter. This could prevent problems later if you end up in litigation.
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