USPTO Rules
This system replaced "first-to-invent" in the US in 2013.
What is the first-to-file system?
EPO oppositions must be filed within this timeframe after grant.
What is 9 months?
Utility models in China last this many years.
What is 10 years?
The first patent ever issued in the US (1790) was for this type of product.
What is potash fertilizer?
Patent #US6,368,558 protects this "method of exercising a cat."
What is a laser pointer?
The maximum term of a US utility patent.
What is 20 years from filing?
The three official languages of the EPO.
What are English, French, and German?
China’s patent law requires this to protect an invention after public disclosure.
What is a patent application within 6 months?
This country files the most international PCT applications annually.
What is China?
*Patent #CN103,654,210A covers this invention for "banana anti-slip devices."*
What is a banana peel umbrella?
This type of USPTO application does NOT require formal claims.
What is a provisional application?
This fee is required to maintain an EP patent beyond the 3rd year.
What are renewal fees?
This Chinese patent type requires no substantive examination.
What is a utility model patent?
The IPC symbol for "medical devices."
What is A61B?
EP Patent #1,122,076 protects this "animal entertainment apparatus."
What is a hamster driving a car (toy)?
he USPTO requires this many months to respond to an Office Action.
What is 6 months (with extensions)?
The EPO does NOT grant patents for this type of invention.
What are methods of medical treatment?
The maximum term for a Chinese invention patent.
What is 20 years?
The inventor of the modern patent system.
Who is Venice’s Senate (1474 Statute)?
US Patent #8,789,298 is for this "animal training kit."
What is a dog high-five training device?
This USPTO program fast-tracks patent examination for green technologies.
What is the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program?
This 2023 EPO initiative allows a single patent to cover 17 EU countries.
What is the Unitary Patent System?
CNIPA’s "fast-track" examination program prioritizes patents in this field.
What are green technologies (or AI, chips, etc.)?
This patent office allows "pet patents" (e.g., for animal toys).
What is the USPTO?
This famous inventor holds a patent for a "pigeon-guided missile system."
Who is Nikola Tesla?