Foreign Patents

Although some variation exists from country to country, foreign patents generally have the same requirements as U.S. patents; however, foreign patents are often much more easily barred.

If a U.S. patent application is made prior to public disclosure of the invention anywhere in the world, then in most cases patents can be filed in foreign countries. Please note that prior disclosure anywhere in the world before a U.S. patent application is filed normally bars foreign patentability.

Foreign patents typically are very expensive; the cost of a portfolio of patents in ten key overseas countries is approximately $100,000. With many technologies, the U.S. market alone can be 30%-50% of the world market, making the selection of other markets even more important.