Does a U.S. patent provide protection worldwide?
No. The rights granted by a United States patent extend only throughout the territory of the United States and have no effect in a foreign country. An inventor who wishes patent protection in other countries must apply for a patent in each of the other countries or in regional patent offices. Almost every country has its own patent law, and a person desiring a patent in a particular country must make an application for patent in that country, in accordance with the requirements of that country. The Patent Cooperation Treaty, which is presently adhered to by over 90 countries including the United States, greatly facilitates the pursuit of patent protection in member countries by providing, among other things, for centralized filing procedures and a standardized initial application format.
