Where to File Patent Applications Outside the U.S.

As the first anniversary of the U.S. filing date approaches, the applicant typically must decide where to seek patent protection. At the present time, there is no “international patent,” but there are several significant international patent applications: A Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application; a European Patent Convention (EPC) application; a Eurasian Patent Application, and two group filings in Africa – ARIPO and OAPI .