Is my U.S. patent good in other countries?

Patents are territorial and must be filed in each country where protection is sought.

For more information on how to apply for individual patents in a foreign country, contact the intellectual property office in that country directly. A list of contact information for most intellectual property offices worldwide can be found here.

Additionally, the U.S. is a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) which streamlines the process for U.S. inventors and businesses to file for patents in multiple countries. By filing one patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), U.S. applicants can concurrently seek protection in up to 144 countries as of June 9, 2011. For information about filing an international patent application under the PCT, visit the USPTO website.