TYPICAL PATENT APPLICATION TIMELINE
0 MONTHS
APPROVED
30/31 MONTHS
4 YEARS
1 YEAR10 YEARS
A patent application is filed
6 MONTHSResults of search
File international (PCT) application
18 MONTHS
Publication, followed by
International search
Applications typically granted 4 to 10 years after initial priority application
After 20 years the UK patent expires and after 21 years further patents expire
PCT application enters national/regional phases in chosen countries
START END
0 MONTHS – A patent application is filedTypically a UK patent application is a first filing.
6 MONTHS – Results of searchNormally provides a useful indication of the patentability of the application.
1 YEAR – Further applications can be filed claiming priorityFurther applications in other countries can be filed within the convention year (1 year from the first filing of the subject matter). Typically, an International (PCT) application is filed to postpone final selection of countries (and costs). This will be the last opportunity to include additional subject matter in the application.
18 MONTHS – Application is publishedThe application provides provisional protection from the date of publication. The application can now be cited as prior art for novelty and inventive step against later filed applications (including your own).
30/31 MONTHS – PCT national/regional phase entryIf a PCT application was filed, it will now be necessary to decide in which countries to enter national/regional phases (i.e. which countries you want to seek protection in).
EXAMINATIONApplication in each national/regional phase may receive a further search and will be examined. There may be several rounds of examination to get the application in order for grant.
4-10 YEARS – GRANT For applications entered into a regional phase, for example, the European regional phase, it will be necessary to decide where to validate the granted patent.
20 YEARS – UK Patent expires
21 YEARS - Further patents expirePatents deriving from the PCT application expire at 21 years from the first filed UK application.
THIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
20/21 YEARS