Category: Patent Filing

  • Unity of Invention in PCT: Handle Restrictions the Smart Way

    Unity of Invention in PCT: Handle Restrictions the Smart Way

    When you file a patent through the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty), everything seems smooth—until you hit something called a “lack of unity” objection. Suddenly, your clean application turns into a maze of restrictions, extra fees, and confusing examiner notes. For many founders, this moment feels like hitting a wall. What “Unity of Invention” Really Means…

  • ST.26 Sequence Listings: Easy Compliance Checklist

    ST.26 Sequence Listings: Easy Compliance Checklist

    If your invention involves DNA, RNA, or protein sequences, you’ve probably heard about ST.26—the new global rule that changed how biotech patent applications handle sequence listings. For many inventors and startup teams, this update feels like one more complex hurdle between discovery and protection. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be complicated. What…

  • Restoring Priority in PCT: Missing the 12-Month Deadline

    Restoring Priority in PCT: Missing the 12-Month Deadline

    Let’s get straight to it. You filed your first patent. The clock started ticking. You meant to file your international (PCT) application within 12 months — but life happened. Maybe your product changed. Maybe you were chasing funding. Maybe you just missed the deadline. Now you’re staring at that 12-month line in the sand and…

  • ePCT Tips: File, Track, and Fix Errors Fast

    ePCT Tips: File, Track, and Fix Errors Fast

    Filing an international patent doesn’t have to be a maze of paperwork, waiting, and worry. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) built the ePCT system to make it easier for inventors, startups, and patent professionals to handle international filings under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). But here’s the thing: while ePCT makes things faster and…

  • Amending Claims Under Article 19 vs Article 34: Which to Use

    Amending Claims Under Article 19 vs Article 34: Which to Use

    When you’re filing an international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), you’ll quickly find that the process gives you more flexibility than most national filings. But with that flexibility comes a critical question every inventor or startup founder faces sooner or later: when and how should you amend your claims? How Article 19…

  • Chapter II (Demand) Strategy: When It’s Worth It

    Chapter II (Demand) Strategy: When It’s Worth It

    There’s a moment in every startup journey when demand starts to whisper. Not scream. Not explode. Just whisper. You see it in small signs—users sticking around, investors asking sharper questions, competitors suddenly paying attention. That’s when founders face one of the trickiest choices in business: how hard should you lean into demand? Seeing the Signs:…

  • PCT Search Report & Written Opinion: What to Do Next

    PCT Search Report & Written Opinion: What to Do Next

    When you receive your PCT search report and written opinion, it can feel overwhelming, but this moment is where smart founders separate themselves from the rest. The report isn’t a rejection—it’s a preview, a chance to see how your invention compares to existing technology before spending big money filing in different countries. Understanding What Your…

  • Choosing the Right ISA/IPEA: Cost, Speed, and Quality

    Choosing the Right ISA/IPEA: Cost, Speed, and Quality

    When you file a PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) application, you’ll face one big decision that can quietly shape everything that follows — which International Searching Authority (ISA) or International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) you choose. What Your ISA and IPEA Actually Do — And Why They Matter More Than You Think When you file a…

  • PCT Timeline Made Simple: 12, 16, 22, 30/31 Months

    PCT Timeline Made Simple: 12, 16, 22, 30/31 Months

    If you’re building something new—an AI model, a new kind of chip, or some deep tech no one’s seen before—you already know how fast the world moves. You’re racing to build, raise funds, and find users. But when it comes to protecting your idea globally, the rules suddenly get messy. That’s where the PCT timeline…

  • PCT Basics: How the International Patent Route Works

    PCT Basics: How the International Patent Route Works

    If you’ve ever built something new and realized it could change the world, your next thought might be, “How do I protect this globally?” That’s where the PCT—short for Patent Cooperation Treaty—steps in. It’s not a new kind of patent, and it’s not a shortcut to automatic worldwide protection. But it’s the smartest way to…