International patent registration protects novel inventions in many countries around the world. Inventors benefit from this kind of protection to prevent others from using their inventions without permission. Overseas patent registration protects inventions in different countries and gives inventors monopoly rights for a set period. Several internationally recognized patent systems and organizations have been established to make it easier for applicants to get global patent rights for their inventions. The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patent application, established in 1970, is designed to make international patent filings simple and systematic.

How to Get an International Patent

International patent registration is an important step in protecting your novel ideas at the international level. The patent application process follows a specific set of steps. Start by assessing whether the invention you want a patent for is eligible. The invention must be novel, industrially applicable, and described with enough detail.

There are several routes for overseas patent registration. They vary with your target countries, costs, and timelines.

1. National Patent Systems

In national patent systems, countries set their own criteria and assess patent applications against their own standards. Each country's application process is directly tied to local needs, economic conditions, and legal systems.

Countries differ in how they evaluate national patent applications. In the United States, for example, the authority is the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which sets specific criteria for examining applications. In Europe, international bodies such as the European Patent Office (EPO) set a common standard to make applications valid across Europe. Some countries offer fast patent registration, while others have longer evaluation periods.

2. PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty)

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) makes it easier for applicants to get worldwide patent rights for their inventions. A PCT patent application lets you handle patent registration in one operation and claim patent protection across 154 countries at once.

Antigua and Barbuda
Albania
Armenia
Angola
African Regional Intellectual Property Organization
Austria
Australia
Azerbaijan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Barbados
Bulgaria
Bahrain
Brunei Darussalam
Brazil
Botswana
Belarus
Belize
Canada
Switzerland
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Cabo Verde
Czechia
Germany
Djibouti
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Algeria
Eurasian Patent Organization
Ecuador
Estonia
Egypt
European Patent Organization
Spain
Finland
United Kingdom
Grenada
Georgia
Ghana
Gambia
Guatemala
Honduras
Croatia
Hungary
Indonesia
Israel
India
Iraq
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iceland
Italy
Jamaica
Jordan
Japan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Cambodia
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Republic of Korea
Kuwait
Kazakhstan
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Saint Lucia
Sri Lanka
Liberia
Lesotho
Luxembourg
Libya
Morocco
Republic of Moldova
Madagascar
North Macedonia
Mongolia
Mauritius
Malawi
Mexico
Malaysia
Mozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Nicaragua
Norway
New Zealand
African Intellectual Property Organization
Oman
Panama
Peru
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Serbia
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
Sudan
Sweden
Singapore
Slovakia
Sierra Leone
Sao Tome and Principe
El Salvador
Syrian Arab Republic
Thailand
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Tunisia
Türkiye
Trinidad and Tobago
United Republic of Tanzania
Ukraine
Uganda
United States of America
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Vietnam
Samoa
South Africa
Zambia
Zimbabwe

3. European Patent Convention (EPC)

The EPC provides patent protection in many European countries through the European Patent Office (EPO). One application can produce a patent valid in multiple European countries. Once granted, the EPO patent moves to the national phase and becomes effective in the selected countries.

Germany
Albania
Austria
Belgium
United Kingdom
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Croatia
Netherlands
Ireland
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Italy
Iceland
Montenegro
Cyprus
North Macedonia
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Hungary
Malta
Monaco
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Türkiye

4. ARIPO (African Regional Intellectual Property Organization)

A regional IP organization that some countries in Africa are members of. ARIPO reviews patent applications for its member countries and provides protection.

Botswana
Lesotho
Sierra Leone
Gambia
Malawi (valid for 16 years)
Sudan
Ghana
Mozambique
Eswatini (Swaziland)
Kenya (valid for 7 years, extendable in 5-year renewals)
Namibia
Zambia (valid for 16 years)
Tanzania
Uganda
Zimbabwe
Somalia

5. OAPI (Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle)

Another regional African patent organization. OAPI reviews a single patent application for specific African countries and provides protection.

Benin
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Comoros
Congo
Ivory Coast
Gabon
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Equatorial Guinea
Mali
Mauritania
Niger
Senegal
Chad
Togo

6. Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO)

EAPO, established under the Eurasian Patent Convention, reviews a single patent application for several Eurasian countries and provides protection.

Russia
Belarus
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Azerbaijan
Armenia

Step Into Overseas Patent Systems With Sistem Patent

Innovation and originality are essential for firms in today's competitive market. Protecting that innovation and making it recognized internationally calls for the right overseas patent registration. That is where Sistem Patent comes in. Here are some reasons to choose Sistem Patent for overseas patent systems:

Experience and expertise: Sistem Patent knows international patent application processes in detail, backed by years of experience. That experience, built by advising many firms both nationally and internationally, helps your patent applications conclude faster and more effectively.
Full-scope service: Sistem Patent supports firms across every stage, from patent application through patent maintenance. That full-scope approach lets firms manage patent work from a single point.
International partnerships: The firm works with local partners in many countries around the world. This gives your international patent applications local expertise and fast communication.
Client-focused approach: Sistem Patent tailors solutions to each client's needs. Shaped around the firm's specific needs, this service approach lets patent work move along more efficiently.
Reasonable pricing: Sistem Patent offers fair pricing for international patent applications. This lets firms secure patent protection economically.

To sum up, Sistem Patent stands out in the sector for international patent registration through its experience, specialist team, full-scope service, and client-focused approach. For accurate, fast, and economical results in overseas patent work, choose us. Contact us for more information and to engage our services.

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