Question: What impact do the results of an application procedure in one country have on the application procedures in the other countries?
Entrepreneur C is developing a new medical technology that is to be marketed in Europe and South America. He is considering applying for patents in all European countries individually as well as in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. As his financial resources are limited, he needs to set clear priorities.
Question: How should C strategically select the countries for his patent protection? When does the selection have to be made?
Company D manufactures an innovative filter system for water treatment. After an initial application in Austria, D wants to market the technology on the Asian market. Before applying, D is considering presenting the product at a trade fair in Singapore in order to attract investors there.
Question: How can D prevent the presentation of the invention from jeopardizing its novelty?
E is the owner of a start-up that has developed a new packaging solution. She initially wants to tap into the US market, but also plans to expand into Japan and South Korea in two years. The costs of simultaneous patent applications exceed her budget.
Question: What role can the right of priority play in E's scheduling?
Chemist F files a groundbreaking battery technology in Italy. Three months later, he learns that a competitor is marketing similar technologies in China. F therefore wants to apply for protection there as well, without losing his priority date.
Question: How can F use his priority right to file a subsequent application in China?
T files an invention in Germany and then wants to file a subsequent application in Japan.
Question: What could the Japanese Patent Office require in order for the priority right to be valid in Japan?
Start-up founder T has filed a patent application in his own name. Start-up co-founder U continues to handle patent matters and wants to file a subsequent application in Germany on behalf of the newly founded T&U GmbH.
Question: What should be done so that T&U GmbH can claim priority?
Research center X made a new invention 13 months ago. Since no one was interested in the invention at the time, an application was filed. The invention is still secret. Since priority rights can no longer be claimed, a new application is filed. This is so successful that a subsequent application is filed based on this application.
Question: What can happen?
In March 2026, engineer B files a patent application in Italy for a novel coating for solar panels. In February 2027, she files a subsequent application in France, invoking the right of priority. However, in July 2026, i.e. after B's initial application in Italy, but without priority, a French competitor C had filed the same invention in France. Both applications are published and are being examined.
Question: Who will be granted a patent in France? What would the situation be if the patents had already been granted?
In February 2026, German developer A files a patent application for an innovative valve system for hydrogen tanks. In June 2026, he adds a new type of seal to the technology, which improves safety. In October 2026, he also invents a control unit for automatic pressure regulation. In January 2027, he files an international application and wants to protect all three inventions.
Question: What should A do to obtain maximum protection for all inventions?