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Patent Services

Patent Filing & Registration

Protecting an invention across multiple markets requires a carefully sequenced international filing strategy. The right approach depends on your commercial targets, budget, timeline, and the nature of the technology. Legacy Partners manages direct national, PCT, and regional patent filings across 150+ jurisdictions.

▌ A. DIRECT INTERNATIONAL PATENT FILING

Direct national filing involves submitting separate applications to each target country's patent office. This route is most efficient when protecting an invention in a small number of specific markets, or in non-PCT jurisdictions.

Key Filing Jurisdictions
RegionPatent OfficeNotes
UAE & GCCMinistry of Economy (UAE); GCC-PO (Riyadh)National and regional GCC routes both available
EuropeEuropean Patent Office (EPO)Single application covering 38+ member states
United StatesUSPTOWorld's largest patent market; continuation strategy critical
IndiaIndian Patent Office (4 branches)PCT national phase or direct filing both available
ChinaCNIPALargest global patent filer; essential for manufacturing technology
United KingdomUKIPOPost-Brexit, separate from EPO validation
AustraliaIP AustraliaPCT national phase or direct filing
Paris Convention Priority

Under the Paris Convention — to which the UAE and most commercial jurisdictions are party — filing in one country gives the applicant 12 months to file in other member states while claiming the same priority date. The 12-month Paris Convention window is a hard deadline. Missing it means losing your original priority date — and potentially novelty — in all subsequent markets.

▌ B. PCT INTERNATIONAL PATENT APPLICATIONS

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), administered by WIPO, enables a single international application simultaneously seeking protection in up to 157 member countries. It is the most widely used mechanism for global patent strategy.

How the PCT Process Works
01. Filing

File through WIPO or a national Receiving Office.

02. Search

International Searching Authority issues opinion on novelty.

03. Publication

WIPO publishes application 18 months after priority.

04. Examination

Optional Chapter II examination to strengthen application.

05. National Phase

Enter chosen countries by 30-month deadline.

06. Grant

Each national office grants independently.

▌ CHOOSING THE RIGHT FILING STRATEGY

ScenarioRecommended Approach
UAE and GCC onlyGCC Patent Office — single application
UAE + India + US + EuropePCT designating all; GCC via national/regional phase
Single country urgently neededDirect national filing in target country
Commercial targets still uncertainPCT — preserves options to 30-month point
Startup pre-seed phaseProvisional application → PCT within 12 months

Frequently Asked Questions

A PCT application is a single filing that simultaneously seeks protection in multiple countries. It does not itself grant a patent — each national office grants independently. The PCT is a procedural mechanism, not a global patent.

Yes. The UAE Ministry of Economy serves as a Receiving Office for PCT applications filed by UAE residents and nationals.

30 months from the earliest priority date in most countries (31 months in some). Missing this deadline is typically fatal to protection in that jurisdiction.

Yes. A granted GCC regional patent is automatically effective in all six GCC member states, including the UAE.

Legacy Partners designs and executes international filing strategies for inventors, startups, and multinationals. Contact us to map your patent filing roadmap.

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