Patents and Trademarks

International Patent Protection

The owner of a U.S. patent can stop anyone from making, using, selling, or offering for sale the invention in the United States. In addition, a U.S. patent owner can stop anyone from importing unauthorized copies of the invention into the United States. 

U.S. patent rights stop at the American border. An inventor cannot use a U.S. patent to stop someone from making, selling, or using the invention in another country. To do that, American inventors must acquire patent rights in that country and rely on rules of reciprocity in international treaties.

Databases to Find International Patents

International Patent Authorities

International Patent Classification