Tag: Patent Workflow Automation
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Design Arounds Before Entry: Use the ISR to De-Risk Claims
When you build something new, you don’t want surprises. You don’t want to pour months of work into an invention only to learn—too late—that your claims run straight into someone else’s territory. This is why smart founders use the International Search Report, or ISR, as early as possible. It’s like having a flashlight before entering…
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Translations for National Phase: Quality, Cost, and Timing
When you move your patent into the national phase, everything suddenly feels real. Deadlines get tight. Costs get loud. And translations—something most founders never think about—can make or break your whole patent strategy. So let’s make this simple, clear, and useful, without any legal noise or hand-waving. Why Translation Quality Changes Your Patent Outcome When…
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Korea (KIPO) Entry: Examination Requests, PPH, and Tips
Getting a patent in Korea can feel confusing when you first look at it. KIPO has its own rules, its own timing, and its own way of checking your invention. But once you understand how the system moves, you realize something surprising: Korea can actually be one of the fastest and most founder-friendly places to…
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Japan (JPO) Entry: Amendments, Interviews, and Speed-Up Paths
When you bring a PCT application into Japan, the process can feel slow, strict, and a little mysterious. The Japan Patent Office is known for careful review, detailed rules, and a style of examination that can surprise founders who are used to the faster pace of building products. But Japan is also one of the…
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China (CNIPA) Entry: Translations, Claim Scope, and Common Traps
Filing a patent in China can feel like stepping into a maze. You’ve already done the hard work of building something new, protecting it at home, and maybe even filing a PCT application. But when it’s time to enter China—the world’s largest patent market—small mistakes can cost you everything. Why Translation Quality Decides Your Fate…
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EPO National Phase: Rule 71(3), Divisional Practice, and Support
If you’ve ever tried to move your patent from an idea to protection across Europe, you’ve probably felt that mix of excitement and confusion. The European Patent Office (EPO) is one of the most powerful patent systems in the world—but it’s also one of the most detail-heavy. Every step, every form, and every deadline matters.…
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US National Phase: Deadlines, IDS, and Claim Amendments
When your international patent application starts to take shape, there’s one moment that really matters — the US national phase. It’s where your big idea crosses from global filing into the U.S. system, and where the details can make or break your patent protection. Understanding the US National Phase and Why It Matters When your…
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Picking Countries: How to Build a National Phase Shortlist
When your startup files a PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) application, you’ve bought yourself time — but not forever. About 30 months after your first filing, you’ll face a big decision: where in the world do you actually want patent protection? What the National Phase Really Means (and Why It Matters for Startups) The term “national…
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Cost Control in PCT: Fees, Reductions, and Smart Savings
Filing a patent can feel like standing in front of a giant cash register that won’t stop ringing. Every step—drafting, filing, translations, office actions—seems to come with another fee. For founders and inventors working across borders, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) process can look even scarier. It’s global. It’s long. And yes—it can get expensive…
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PPH After PCT: Fast-Track Options You Can Leverage
If you’ve filed a PCT application and you’re now staring down the long road of national phase entry, you’re probably wondering one thing: how do I speed this up? The Patent Prosecution Highway — or PPH — is the shortcut most inventors never realize they can take. It’s one of those quiet, behind-the-scenes tools that…