A U.S. patent protects an invention throughout the United States, its territories and possessions. Because a U.S. patent protects against importing or making or using or selling the patented invention, it also has some international effect. For example it is an infringement of a U.S. patent to import or use or sell the patented invention in the United States even if the invention was made abroad, and it is also an infringement of a U.S. patent to make the patented invention in the United States, even if it is destined for export. However, to protect an invention from activities wholly outside of the United States, a patent must be obtained in each country where protection is desired.