The national filing route is essentially the same as the route followed by your current Dutch patent application. Your foreign patent application is filed with the national patent office of the country concerned, for example in the United States, Japan, or Germany. We engage a patent attorney in that country to handle the filing. At the time of filing or shortly afterward, the application must be available in one of the languages required by the relevant country.
We handle all the necessary work and communication with the foreign patent attorneys. AOMB has an extensive global network of patent attorneys for this purpose.
Would you like to know more about the costs of filing a patent application in a particular country? Contact your patent attorney for more information.
Utility models
In some countries, including Germany, you can also apply for a utility model. This is a form of “mini-patent” that can usually be maintained for a maximum of ten years, compared with twenty years for a regular patent.
The advantages generally include lower costs and a relatively fast grant or registration procedure. One disadvantage is that certain types of inventions, such as processes, cannot be protected by a utility model in many countries.
Your patent attorney can explain the advantages and disadvantages of utility models for your situation.
Other regional routes
As in Europe, you can also file patent applications through regional patent offices in Africa and Asia. In Africa, several mainly English-speaking countries are members of ARIPO, while several French-speaking countries are members of OAPI. In addition, several former Soviet republics are parties to the Eurasian Patent Convention (EAPC).
Are you interested in patent protection in one or more of these regions? Your patent attorney can provide further information.
