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International patents are classified according to a hierarchical system of symbols not related to a specific language. These classification classes are arranged according to the specific fields of technology in which they fall.
The International Patent Classification system, established in 1971 through the Strasbourg Agreement, is used as basis to ensure standardization.
Numerous simplifications have been made to this classification system recently. Changes such as divisions removed between centre and other levels, and the main groups of the classification system to be used, are seen as part of the streamlining of applications for international patents.
Another aspect of international patents to be noted is that of the Patent Cooperation Treaty known in short as the PCT. It is an international patent treaty which came into being in 1970.
It has as purpose the standardization of patent applications in the member states. Patents filed under the treaty are known as international patent applications.
To file international applications, one has to submit them with a Receiving Office, which will have an International Searching Authority conduct patent or patent searches and provide an assessment regarding the patentability of the invention or inventions.
In addition a preliminary assessment may follow which is done by a relevant International Preliminary Examining Authority. This authority goes by the acronym of IPEA. The last phase involves administration by the national bodies.
Although the phrase of international patents is often used, there is in essence no such a thing. The patent granting is subject to each national authority and as such there are no patents that are granted universally.
By reviewing the above information about international patents, it becomes clear that patent filing in numerous countries can be a complex process, best handled by experienced intellectual property attorneys such as the team at Smit & Van Wyk in South Africa.
Contact us today for assistance regarding filing of patent applications in South Africa and abroad.
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