How to Register a Patent Abroad?
The novelty period for patent applications is 1 year. After filing an application in any country, it is necessary to file an application in the targeted countries within 1 year. There are country and regional registration options for foreign applications.
Overseas Patent Registration Options;
- Country Application
- PCT Application
- EPO
- EAPO
- ARIPO
- OAPI
- Country-by-country application
It is done through an official agent registered in the targeted country. Registration, protection periods and annual renewal fees vary according to each country. - PCT application
It is run by WIPO, based in Switzerland. It organizes a joint research report accepted by 153 countries. Thus, it is considered as a lower cost alternative. It also gives the inventor an additional 18-month period, increasing the priority period to 30 months as of the application date. Moreover, along with 153 countries, there are 4 other community registration systems. These are EPO, EAPO, ARIPO and OAPI. - EPO
The processes are carried out by the European Patent office in Germany. There are 38 member countries together with Turkey. - EAPO
The processes are carried out by the Eurasian Patent Office in Russia. There are 8 member countries. If the application is documented, it is accepted as registered in all member countries, but annual payments must be made in the countries where protection is desired. - ARIPO
The processes are run by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization based in Zimbabwe. There are 20 member countries. If the application is certified, it is considered registered in all member countries, but annual payments must be made in the countries where protection is sought. - OAPI
The processes are run by the African Intellectual Property Organization based in Cameroon. There are 17 member countries. If the application is certified, it is considered registered in all member countries, but annual payments must be made in the countries where protection is sought.
