What is the process of registering a patent?

There is no one way to reach the goal of a registered patent. However, there are two common processes.

Using the Paris Convention – typically a provisional application is first filed, leading to separate patent applications filed in each country/region of interest within 12-months. Each application is then examined, amended to overcome objections, accepted and registered.

Using the Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT) – typically a provisional application is first filed, leading to a PCT applications filed within 12-months. The PCT application is examined, with amendments optionally filed to overcome objections. Separate national phase patent applications must then be filed in each country/region of interest within 30/31-months of the provisional filing date. Each application is then examined, amended to overcome objections, accepted and registered.