File UK Application
File PCT Application and abandon
original UK
Split PCT Application into
national/regional phases
Review UK Patent Office Search
Report
Enter European Patent Office
Enter US Patent Office
Enter Japanese Patent Office
Enter Any Other Patent Offices
~ 3 to 5 Years
~ 2 Years
~3 to 5 years
Review PCT Search Report
Review International Preliminary
Report of Patentability
European Patent grants and splits into desired national patents, in e.g. UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Sweden, followed by annual renewal fees in each country
Grant of US patent, followed by renewal fees
3.5, 7.5 and 11.5 years after grant
Grant of Japanese patent. Annual renewal fees
~ 4 months
12 months
~4 months
~10 months
30 months
?
Grant. Normally followed by annual renewal fees
Obtaining Protection in Europe,
US and Japan, using PCT route
Overview of a Typical Patent Filing Program