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Protect your valuable export markets
An Australian patent provides protection only within Australia. If you want
to apply for a patent in other countries, you generally have 2 choices:
- file separate patent applications in each country. This can be cost effective
when you file in only a few countries; or
- file a single international application. Your application will automatically take
effect in all countries that are party to the PCT (over 120, including Australia). You can then choose to proceed in whichever countries you select at a later date. You will still need to meet the national requirements and
costs in each country, but this can be deferred for a significant period. This gives you
extra time to reassess the value of your invention and its export potential
before committing to the high costs involved.
Whichever option you choose, you will still end up with separate patent applications
in each country.
IP Australia and the USPTO entered into a pilot of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) commencing
on 14 April 2008. The PPH provides an alternative means for Australian applicants to fast-track examination
of applications in the US that have been examined in Australia. The USPTO and IP Australia have agreed
to extend the pilot in its current state in order to collect more information before any formal decision
on the program is made.
There is no such thing as a 'world patent'.
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