In today's global economy, protecting an invention only on national territory is often no longer enough. For an innovative company or an inventor, ensuring that their innovation is protected beyond national borders is becoming a major strategic challenge. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as an automatic "world patent". In fact, a patent is a territorial right: it is only effective in the countries where it has been filed and granted. Extending your patent internationally therefore requires an appropriate legal and administrative strategy. This article offers a clear and accessible explanation of the main ways of protecting an invention in several countries.
Why protect your invention abroad?
A patent issued by the Institut national de la propriété industrielle (INPI) confers on its holder a monopoly of exploitation limited to French territory. If the invention is to be used in other countries, or if there is a risk of it being copied abroad, it is essential to consider extending protection internationally. This approach secures the innovation in the target markets, preserves its competitive advantages, enhances the value of the company in the context of investments, and prevents any unauthorized exploitation in third countries.
The priority right mechanism
One of the first basic concepts you need to be aware of is the right of priority. From the date of filing of your first patent application, you have a period of twelve months to extend your protection to other countries, while retaining the initial filing date as your starting point.This right derives from the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. It guarantees that subsequent applications filed in other states during this period will be considered as if they had been filed on the date of the first application. This allows you to anticipate and secure your international strategy, without losing the anteriority of your invention. After this period, it is still possible to file abroad, but you will no longer benefit from this priority, which can cause difficulties if the invention has been disclosed in the meantime.
National deposit in each country
The first option is to file your patent application directly with each national office in the countries where you wish to obtain protection. This approach is suitable if you are targeting a limited number of territories. However, it requires you to comply with the specific requirements of each country, notably in terms of language, form, procedure and payment of fees. It is often necessary to use a local agent, which can generate significant costs. This route offers the advantage of total autonomy between the various applications: the failure of a procedure in one country has no impact on the others. On the other hand, it quickly becomes cumbersome to manage if you are targeting several countries.
European patent
If your ambitions are mainly confined to the European continent, the filing procedure with the European Patent Office (OEB) constitue une voie efficace. Elle permet, avec un seul dossier, de viser jusqu’à 39 États membres ou partenaires de la Convention sur le European patent. La demande peut être déposée en français, anglais ou allemand, et elle est examinée de manière centralisée. Une fois le brevet délivré, il doit être validé dans chacun des pays désignés pour entrer en vigueur localement. Cette validation implique, selon les cas, la fourniture de traductions, le paiement de taxes et, parfois, la désignation d’un représentant local. Il ne s’agit donc pas d’un brevet unique pour l’Europe, mais d’un ensemble de brevets nationaux dérivés d’une procédure initiale commune.
The European patent with unitary effect
Depuis 2023, une nouvelle possibilité existe avec le brevet européen à effet unitaire. Il s’agit d’une alternative au système classique qui permet, à partir d’une demande unique auprès de l’OEB, d’obtenir une protection uniforme et centralisée dans les États membres de l’Union européenne ayant ratifié l’accord sur le unitary patent. À ce jour, dix-huit pays participent à ce système, et d’autres pourraient les rejoindre. L’intérêt principal de cette option réside dans la simplification administrative, la réduction des coûts de validation et la gestion centralisée des procédures post-délivrance. En cas de contentieux, la Unified Patent Court est compétente pour statuer sur la validité et la contrefaçon de ces brevets unitaires, ce qui offre une lisibilité juridique accrue. Toutefois, il est possible de cumuler un brevet européen à effet unitaire avec un brevet national français pour bénéficier d’une double protection.
The PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) procedure
The most flexible and frequently used route to worldwide protection is the PCT, an international treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Under this procedure, a single, international application can be filed, with effects in over 150 countries. This is not an international patent as such, but a centralized mechanism for delaying and streamlining extension procedures.
The PCT procedure is divided into two phases. The international phase begins with the filing of the single application. Cette phase comprend une recherche internationale pour évaluer l’état de la technique, une publication de la demande après dix-huit mois, et la possibilité de demander un examen préliminaire international. Cette étape permet de disposer d’une première opinion sur la brevetabilité de l’invention. Ensuite, à l’issue d’un délai de trente ou trente-et-un mois à compter de la date du dépôt initial, commence la the national phase begins. The applicant must then choose the countries in which he wishes to enter the national phase, make the necessary translations, pay the required fees and comply with local rules. This system has the major advantage of deferring major expenses and allowing time to assess the commercial value of the invention abroad.
Other regional offices
Outside Europe, there are other regional mechanisms for filing a single application for several countries. These include the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), the Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). Like the EPO, these systems enable you to file a centralized application that will be valid in all member countries of the organization concerned.
Specific requirements in France
It should be remembered that all French residents, or companies based in France, are required to file an initial registration with INPI before any extension abroad. This obligation stems from national security considerations. Some sensitive inventions even have to undergo a special procedure, with paper filing and notification of the Direction Générale de l'Armement. It is therefore essential to check whether your invention falls within this specific field before embarking on an international process.
Key Strategies for Expanding the International Protection of Your Patent
Extending patent protection internationally is an essential step for innovators wishing to secure their rights in several countries. Between national filings, regional procedures and the PCT system, there are many options to choose from, depending on your business strategy, available budget and target markets. Compliance with the twelve-month priority period is a key factor for effective extension without loss of rights. Finally, given the complexity of the rules applicable in each jurisdiction, it is strongly recommended that you seek the support of an industrial property attorney or specialized lawyer. This professional will be able to guide you in choosing the procedures best suited to your situation, and optimize the scope of your international protection.
Further reading