Brief overview
The patent application has now been filed. We have a filing date, i.e. a priority date. From this date, the novelty of your invention is assessed.
Normally a European patent application is filed with the EPO (European Patent Office) or a German patent application with the DPMA (German Patent and Trade Mark Office).
Important to know: we do not yet have a patent. The application goes through formal examination, search, and then substantive examination. Depending on the office (e.g. DPMA, EPO), the exact steps and deadlines differ slightly. You do not need to track deadlines – we will inform you!
Day 0
Priority-establishing application filed (first filing)
Patent Cooperation Treaty
1 year after first filing
International patent application (PCT) or individual national patents filed
Within these 12 months we can extend the original application to further countries or file an international patent application.
Content and data: The application already filed must not be subsequently expanded with “new” technical subject matter. What is possible and useful within the first 12 months: develop additional experimental data and evidence to support the invention.
18 months after first filing
Publication of the patent application
from this point anyone can view the patent application publicly.
30/31 months after first filing (only after a PCT!)
Decision on choice of countries from the contracting states of the PCT application
At the latest 30 or 31 months from the priority date, the countries/regions from the PCT agreement in which patent protection should apply must be chosen.
20 or 21 years after first filing
End of patent protection
Our approach
We always develop the appropriate IP strategy in coordination with inventors and university technology transfer offices. That way we ensure your invention is optimally protected – without unnecessary costs and with a clear focus on the goals agreed with you.
What happens next
For questions about the further process or specific deadlines: please contact your university's technology transfer office or BAYPAT. We guide you through the entire process.
