This tool helps you
plan which
countries to get
patent protection in.
Most of the data
was obtained from
the "CIA Factbook".
This tool has data on various territories which the user may require patent protection in. By choosing from the options
provided you can obtain information which may assist your decisions on which territories to obtain protection in.
For consumer products this is likely to include the US, several EU territories such as the UK, France, Germany and
Italy (Either directly or via the EPO), quite possibly Japan, and (depending on budgetary considerations) more EU
nations and common-wealth countries (E.g. Australia, Canada or New Zealand), and perhaps other nations such as
South Korea & Argentina.
Generally speaking for all but the most valuable inventions, (or those which the backers are certain to make into
house-hold products world-wide) it is not necessary to obtain protection in all or even most countries. Having the
most important countries will be enough to protect your investment, and in some cases will prevent potential
competitors from entering the market at all. Even a brief look at the patently protected fee estimator will assure you
that worldwide protection is not to be undertaken lightly.
Industrial products and processes are best protected in the places where they will be bought or used.
GCC nations are important for Petroleum
Aripo and Oapi relate to respectively English speaking and French speaking African countries.
Aerospace and Shipping products: Note that in many nations products and processes of a visiting ship/plane might
be immune to infringing patents. Investigate obtaining protection where the parts are manufactured or assembled.
Generally in other cases it is not necessary to obtain protection in the country of manufacture - however a patent in
China might have an effect on those who wish to manufacture either for countries outside your protection, or for
illegal import.