A Glossary of Intellectual Property Terminology

Patent Terms

PRIORITY APPLICATION
First application filed for an invention, priority may apply for patents subsequently filed in other countries, filing date is “priority date”

PARIS CONVENTION
Provides a one year period from priority date to file patent applications effective in other convention states

PATENT COOPERATION TREATY
Provides a vehicle to file a single application to retain priority under the paris convention in a number of countries around the world, not all Paris Convention countries are PCT members
No protection through filing a PCT application alone
As of April 1, 2002, 30 months from priority date to file national applications in designated PCT countries

EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
A regional application filing which allows single prosecution of an application for a number of European countries, if designated when filed
Upon grant, validation must occur in countries designated in which protection is desired

OTHER REGIONAL PATENTS
OAPI – African Intellectual Property Organization
ARIPO - African Regional Industrial Property Organization