International IP Filing Services in UK
Protect Your Innovation Beyond the UK
If you plan to sell, manufacture, license or commercialise an invention outside the UK, you may need patent protection in additional countries or regions. Novel Patent Services helps UK businesses, startups and inventors plan and coordinate international patent filing through national applications, European patent applications and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), based on target markets, filing deadlines and commercial strategy.
Global Filing Strategy
Plan protection where it matters most.
PCT & European Routes
Multiple pathways for global protection.
End-to-End Filing Support
From strategy to prosecution support.
WHY CONSIDER INTERNATIONAL PATENT PROTECTION?
A UK patent generally protects your invention in the UK. It does not by itself provide patent protection in other countries. If your business plans include overseas sales, manufacturing, licensing or investment, you may need additional patent filings in the markets that matter to you.
International patent protection can help you:
- Protect important overseas markets
- Support international licensing and commercial partnerships
- Protect key manufacturing and sales territories
- Preserve priority rights when filing within applicable deadlines
- Align patent spending with your commercial plans
- Build a coordinated international patent portfolio
WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL PATENT FILING?
International patent filing means seeking patent protection outside the UK through national, regional or international filing routes. The route depends on where protection is needed, commercial plans, filing history and applicable deadlines.
There is no single worldwide patent that automatically grants protection in every country. A PCT application provides an international filing framework, but patents are ultimately granted or refused by the relevant national or regional offices.
|
Filing Route
|
What It Covers
|
Key Points
|
|---|---|---|
|
National Filings
|
Individual countries
|
Separate applications are filed in each country, such as the US, China, Japan or India.
|
|
European Patent Application
|
Multiple European countries
|
One EPO application can cover multiple European countries.
|
|
PCT Application
|
International filing covering many countries
|
A PCT application preserves options for later national or regional filings.
|
WHICH INTERNATIONAL PATENT FILING ROUTE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
National Patent Filing
Suitable when protection is needed in selected individual countries based on markets, manufacturing or commercial plans.
European Patent Application
A regional route through the European Patent Office when protection is sought in multiple EPC member states.
PCT International Application
An international filing route that can preserve options across many countries before national or regional phase decisions.
National Phase Applications
The stage where a PCT application is taken into selected national or regional offices to pursue patent protection under applicable laws.
INTERNATIONAL PATENT FILING: FROM UK TO GLOBAL PROTECTION
Assess Markets & Strategy
Understand your business goals, target markets and competitive landscape.
Review Priority & Deadlines
Evaluate your UK filing date and key international deadlines.
Choose Filing Route
Select the right combination of national, European and/or PCT routes.
Prepare & File International Application
We prepare the application(s) and coordinate the filing process.
Enter National/Regional Phases & Prosecute
We support country filings, examination and ongoing prosecution.
Priority-based foreign filings are generally time-sensitive, and a UK priority application generally provides 12 months to claim priority abroad.
Plan before the priority deadline.
INTERNATIONAL PATENT FILING PACKAGES
Flexible support to match your global IP strategy.
International Strategy Package — Custom Quote
- Market and competitor assessment
- Review of UK priority and deadlines
- Recommendation on filing routes (National, EPO, PCT)
- Tailored international filing roadmap
PCT Filing Support — Custom Quote
- PCT application preparation (with UK priority)
- Filing coordination and formalities support
- Guidance during the international phase
- Strategic advice on national phase entry
Global Filing & National Phase Support — Custom Quote
- PCT and national phase coordination
- Country filing support for selected markets
- Deadline tracking and portfolio management
- Ongoing prosecution support and strategic guidance
MARKETS WE SUPPORT
We provide filing coordination and support in key markets worldwide.
Europe
EPO and European countries
United States
Filing coordination and support
Canada
Filing coordination and support
China
Filing coordination and support
Japan
Filing coordination and support
India
Filing coordination and support
Australia
Filing coordination and support
Middle East & Other Key Markets
Filing coordination and support
WHY CHOOSE NOVEL PATENT SERVICES?
- UK and International IP Expertise
- Strategic Route Selection Based on Your Business Goals
- Deadline-Focused Coordination and Proactive Guidance
- Technical Patent Understanding Across Multiple Technologies
- Support Across PCT, EPO and National Filing Routes
- Transparent Scope, Pricing and Communication
International patent protection is not about filing everywhere. It is about protecting the markets that matter to your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is international patent filing?
International patent filing is the process of seeking patent protection outside the UK through routes such as national filings, European patent applications or a PCT international application. The appropriate route depends on where you plan to sell, manufacture or commercialise your invention.
What is the difference between a PCT application and a national patent filing?
A national patent application seeks protection directly in a specific country. A PCT application provides a single international filing route that can preserve the option of pursuing patent protection in multiple PCT member countries; the actual patents are ultimately granted by national or regional patent offices.
How long do I have to file abroad after a UK patent application?
Generally, you have 12 months from the earliest UK filing or priority date to file foreign applications claiming priority from that application. This deadline is important when planning international protection.
Does a PCT application grant a patent in every country?
No. A PCT application does not itself grant an international patent. You must enter the national or regional phase in the countries where you ultimately want protection, and each relevant patent office decides whether to grant a patent under its applicable law.
Can I file a European patent application from the UK?
Yes. A European patent application can be filed through the European Patent Office (EPO), which provides a central examination and grant procedure for European patent protection. The European route and UK national protection are separate considerations.
What happens after a PCT application is filed?
The PCT process includes an international search and written opinion, followed by international publication. You then decide which countries or regional offices to enter during the national or regional phase.
When do I need to enter the national phase after a PCT application?
The usual PCT time limit is 30 months from the priority date, although the applicable deadline can vary by national or regional office. For example, the UK allows a PCT application to enter the UK national phase within 31 months from the relevant priority or filing date.
How do I decide which countries to protect?
Country selection should be based on factors such as target markets, manufacturing locations, competitors, licensing opportunities and commercial plans. International protection can become expensive, so selecting commercially relevant countries early can help control costs.
What is the difference between a European patent and a PCT application?
A European patent application is a regional route handled by the EPO. A PCT application is an international filing route that can preserve options across multiple countries before national or regional phase decisions are made. A PCT application can also be used as a route into the European regional phase.
Can I protect my invention in the UK and other countries at the same time?
Yes. A UK application can form the basis for subsequent international filings, subject to applicable priority deadlines. Depending on your commercial strategy, you may consider UK, European, PCT and/or individual national filings.
READY TO TAKE YOUR INNOVATION BEYOND THE UK?
Get a clear assessment of your international filing options, target markets and key deadlines before you commit to further filings.