TYPICAL PATENT APPLICATION TIMELINE · 2017-10-31 · 30/31 MONTHS – PCT national/regional phase...

TYPICAL PATENT APPLICATION TIMELINE 0 MONTHS APPROVED 30/31 MONTHS 4 YEARS 1 YEAR 10 YEARS A patent application is filed 6 MONTHS Results of search File international (PCT) application 18 MONTHS Publication, followed by International search Applications typically granted 4 to 10 years after initial priority application After 20 years the UK patent expires and after 21 years further patents expire PCT application enters national/regional phases in chosen countries START END 0 MONTHS – A patent application is filed Typically a UK patent application is a first filing. 6 MONTHS – Results of search Normally provides a useful indication of the patentability of the application. 1 YEAR – Further applications can be filed claiming priority Further applications in other countries can be filed within the convention year (1 year from the first filing of the subject matter). Typically, an International (PCT) application is filed to postpone final selection of countries (and costs). This will be the last opportunity to include additional subject matter in the application. 18 MONTHS – Application is published The application provides provisional protection from the date of publication. The application can now be cited as prior art for novelty and inventive step against later filed applications (including your own). 30/31 MONTHS – PCT national/regional phase entry If a PCT application was filed, it will now be necessary to decide in which countries to enter national/regional phases (i.e. which countries you want to seek protection in). EXAMINATION Application in each national/regional phase may receive a further search and will be examined. There may be several rounds of examination to get the application in order for grant. 4-10 YEARS – GRANT For applications entered into a regional phase, for example, the European regional phase, it will be necessary to decide where to validate the granted patent. 20 YEARS – UK Patent expires 21 YEARS - Further patents expire Patents deriving from the PCT application expire at 21 years from the first filed UK application. THIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE 20/21 YEARS

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Transcript of TYPICAL PATENT APPLICATION TIMELINE · 2017-10-31 · 30/31 MONTHS – PCT national/regional phase...

TYPICAL PATENT APPLICATION TIMELINE

0 MONTHS

APPROVED

30/31 MONTHS

4 YEARS

1 YEAR10 YEARS

A patent application is filed

6 MONTHSResults of search

File international (PCT) application

18 MONTHS

Publication, followed by

International search

Applications typically granted 4 to 10 years after initial priority application

After 20 years the UK patent expires and after 21 years further patents expire

PCT application enters national/regional phases in chosen countries

START END

0 MONTHS – A patent application is filedTypically a UK patent application is a first filing.

6 MONTHS – Results of searchNormally provides a useful indication of the patentability of the application.

1 YEAR – Further applications can be filed claiming priorityFurther applications in other countries can be filed within the convention year (1 year from the first filing of the subject matter). Typically, an International (PCT) application is filed to postpone final selection of countries (and costs). This will be the last opportunity to include additional subject matter in the application.

18 MONTHS – Application is publishedThe application provides provisional protection from the date of publication. The application can now be cited as prior art for novelty and inventive step against later filed applications (including your own).

30/31 MONTHS – PCT national/regional phase entryIf a PCT application was filed, it will now be necessary to decide in which countries to enter national/regional phases (i.e. which countries you want to seek protection in).

EXAMINATIONApplication in each national/regional phase may receive a further search and will be examined. There may be several rounds of examination to get the application in order for grant.

4-10 YEARS – GRANT For applications entered into a regional phase, for example, the European regional phase, it will be necessary to decide where to validate the granted patent.

20 YEARS – UK Patent expires

21 YEARS - Further patents expirePatents deriving from the PCT application expire at 21 years from the first filed UK application.

THIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE

20/21 YEARS