{"id":1154,"date":"2018-12-31T14:45:40","date_gmt":"2018-12-31T06:45:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.accoladeip.com\/ca\/?page_id=1154"},"modified":"2025-03-21T10:22:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T02:22:21","slug":"faq-patent","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.accoladeip.com\/ca\/en\/faq-patent\/","title":{"rendered":"Patent"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-1154\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-1154-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div class=\"siteorigin-panels-stretch panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-1154-0\" id=\"inpage-banner\" data-stretch-type=\"full-width-stretch\" ><div id=\"pgc-1154-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1154-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-hero panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-hero so-widget-sow-hero-default-3a99bfa5e45c-1154\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-slider-base\" style=\"display: none\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-slider-images\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-settings=\"{&quot;pagination&quot;:true,&quot;speed&quot;:800,&quot;timeout&quot;:8000,&quot;paused&quot;:false,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:false,&quot;swipe&quot;:true,&quot;nav_always_show_desktop&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;nav_always_show_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;breakpoint&quot;:&quot;780px&quot;,&quot;unmute&quot;:false,&quot;anchor&quot;:null}\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\t\t<li class=\"sow-slider-image  sow-slider-image-cover\" style=\"visibility: visible;;background-color: #333333\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-slider-image-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-slider-image-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"sow-headline\">Patent - FAQ<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"sow-slider-image-overlay sow-slider-image-cover\" style=\"opacity: 0.5;background-image: url(https:\/\/www.accoladeip.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/accolade-banner01.jpg)\"  ><\/div>\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul>\t\t\t\t<ol class=\"sow-slider-pagination\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a href=\"#\" data-goto=\"0\" aria-label=\"Display slide 1\"><\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-slide-nav sow-slide-nav-next\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" data-goto=\"next\" aria-label=\"Next slide\" data-action=\"next\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<em class=\"sow-sld-icon-thin-right\"><\/em>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-slide-nav sow-slide-nav-prev\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" data-goto=\"previous\" aria-label=\"Previous slide\" data-action=\"prev\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<em class=\"sow-sld-icon-thin-left\"><\/em>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1154-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-1154-1\" ><div id=\"pgc-1154-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1154-1-0-0\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-first-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div id=\"faq\" class=\"widget_text panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-1154-1-0-0\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><ul uk-accordion>\n    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q1. Does filing a single patent application cover all countries?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>No, filing a single patent application does not cover all countries. Patents are only valid in the country or region where they are granted. However, systems like the PCT or EPC allow you to file one application to seek protection in multiple countries, but you still need to complete national procedures for each country<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q2: Can a patent be filed under a personal name rather than company name?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>Yes, you can file a patent under your personal name instead of a company name. Patents can be filed by individuals (as inventors) or by companies (as the applicants).<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q3: How many applicants can be listed on a patent?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>There is no strict limit to the number of applicants that can be listed on a patent. A patent can have multiple applicants (also known as \"owners\" or \"assignees\"), which could include individuals, companies, or organizations. The applicants are typically the entities or persons who own the rights to the patent.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q4: How do I decide where to file for patent protection?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>The decision depends on your target markets, where you plan to manufacture or sell the product, and where you want to protect your invention. Patent protection is expensive, so it\u2019s important to focus on key countries or regions.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q5: Can I still patent my invention if I\u2019ve been using it commercially?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>Yes, you can still patent your invention even if you have been using it commercially, but you must file your application within the appropriate time frame (such as the one-year grace period in the US). If you have already been selling or using your invention, you need to file for a patent as soon as possible to secure patent protection.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q6: Can I file a patent without drafting the specification?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>No, you cannot file a patent without drafting a specification. The patent application must include a detailed description of your invention, often referred to as the \"specification.\" The specification is a crucial part of the application, as it provides the necessary information for the patent office to assess your invention. \nWithout it, your patent application will not be complete and likely will not be accepted.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q7: Is my invention protected after filing a patent application?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>Your invention is not fully protected immediately after filing a patent application, but you gain \"patent pending\" status, which offers some deterrent against infringement. Full protection and enforceable rights begin once the patent is officially granted.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>    \n\t\n\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q8: What is the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>The PCT is an international treaty that simplifies the process of filing patents in multiple countries. It allows inventors to file one international patent application that can be recognized by all PCT member countries, which simplifies the process for obtaining patent protection in multiple countries.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q9: How does the PCT system work?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>Under the PCT, you file a single international patent application with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). After the application is filed, it undergoes an international search and examination process. Once the international phase is complete, you can then enter individual national or regional patent  offices to seek protection in those countries or regions.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q10: What is the advantage of using the PCT system?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>The main advantage of the PCT is that it delays the need to file separate patent applications in each country, giving you up to 30 or 31 months (depending on the country) from your priority date to decide where to seek patent protection. This gives you more time to assess the commercial viability of your invention before incurring the cost of national filings.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q11: What is the priority deadline?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>The priority deadline is the time limit to file a patent application in other countries and claim the filing date of your first application. You usually have 12 months from the date of your first filing (priority application) to file in other countries and keep the same filing date.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q12: What is a priority document?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>A priority document is an official document that shows the filing date of your first patent application. It allows you to claim priority when filing in other countries, so you can use the original filing date instead of the later filing date.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q13: Can I still modify my PCT application after filing?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>Yes, you can amend your PCT application before it enters the national phase. However, amendments must comply with the PCT regulations, and the scope of your claims cannot exceed what was originally disclosed in your application.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q14: Can I file a PCT application without national filings?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>Yes, you can file a PCT application without having filed a national application first. However, if you want to claim priority rights based on an earlier application, the PCT filing must be made within 12 months of that original filing date.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q15: What is a US Provisional Patent Application?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>A US Provisional Patent Application is a temporary patent application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that establishes an early filing date for an invention. It allows inventors to use the term \"patent pending\" while providing up to 12 months to file a non-provisional  patent application.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q16: What are the advantages of filing a provisional patent application?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>1. Establishes an early filing date: This date can be used as the priority date for a later-filed non\u0002provisional application.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t <p>2. Cheaper and simpler: The provisional application requires fewer formalities and doesn't need claims, oath\/declaration, or an official patent examination.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>3. 12 months to file a non-provisional: You have 12 months to file a non-provisional application, \nwhich gives you more time to further develop your invention or secure funding.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q17: Does a provisional patent application result in a granted patent?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>No, a provisional patent application does not result in a granted patent. It simply establishes the filing date. To secure patent rights, you must file a non-provisional patent application within 12 months of the provisional application.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q18: Can I claim priority from a provisional patent application?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>Yes, you can claim priority from your provisional patent application when you file a non-provisional application. The non-provisional application must be filed within 12 months of the provisional application\u2019s filing date to benefit from the earlier priority date.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q19: Can I add new matter to my non-provisional application that was not in the provisional?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>No, any new matter added to a non-provisional application that wasn\u2019t included in the provisional application will not benefit from the provisional filing date. The non-provisional application must be based on the same disclosure as the provisional application, with no new matter.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <li>\n        <a class=\"uk-accordion-title\" href=\"#\">Q20: Is the provisional patent application examined by the USPTO?<\/a>\n        <div class=\"uk-accordion-content\">\n            <p>No, a provisional patent application is not examined. It only serves as a placeholder to establish the \nfiling date. It will not be reviewed for patentability until a non-provisional application is filed.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n\t\n\t\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1154-1-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong>Disclaimer: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><b>The information provided in this Q&amp;A is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be <\/b><b>construed as legal advice. The laws and procedures related to patents can vary by jurisdiction, and the specifics <\/b><b>of each patent application depend on the unique circumstances of the invention and the applicant. For <\/b><b>professional legal advice or assistance with filing a patent application, it is recommended to consult with a <\/b><b>registered patent attorney or agent.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>The accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed, and the user is responsible for <\/b><b>verifying any details relevant to their particular situation.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Disclaimer: The information provided in this Q&amp;A is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The laws and procedures related to patents can vary by jurisdiction, and the specifics of each patent application depend on the unique circumstances of the invention and the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1154","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","post"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accoladeip.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accoladeip.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accoladeip.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accoladeip.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accoladeip.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1154"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.accoladeip.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1154\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6920,"href":"https:\/\/www.accoladeip.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1154\/revisions\/6920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accoladeip.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}