Protecting Your Interests Overseas

This firm maintains correspondent relationships with agents in various countries who can file patent or trademark applications. Our oversight manages the process and coordinates the activity to match your needs to the services performed.

Filing in foreign countries, such as China or petroleum producing countries can increase your assertion options against potential or actual infringers.

Even without foreign filings, there are options to file an international patent application in the U.S. or the European Patent Office. In many cases, this offers you an extension to file in foreign countries by +/- 30 months. Our office handles such filings directly, as well as providing advice on “Madrid Protocol” trademark applications. Care should be taken not to delay seeking counsel if you may wish to protect your interests overseas some time in the future, as patent protections in many countries have stricter rules than in the United States. You should discuss well before selling or making your invention public by establishing an early priority date. Seeking protection for your trademarks is also important. If you already have U.S. patent or trademark rights, you may be able to assert your interests against infringing imports upon arrival into the country (“at Customs”). If you have such a situation, please contact us for a consultation to discuss your options.