Overview To obtain foreign patent protection, you must file a separate patent application in each country in which you desire to seek patent protection.  A single, world-wide patent does not exist. Moreover, most foreign countries require that the idea not be disclosed to the public prior to filing.  In other words, they require absolute novelty, [...]

Non Publication Requests A non publication request is a request by the patent applicant to not publish a non provisional patent application.  By default, every non provisional patent application is published 18 months after the filing date of the patent application.  The non publication request prevents the publication. Benefit of publication The benefit of publication [...]

Under the first inventor to file system, the inventor that wins the race to the patent office is awarded the patent and any public disclosure by the inventor before filing a patent application bars the inventor from seeking patent protection except under two very important exceptions.