Generally speaking, you can apply for an international patent in three ways.
Namely Paris Convention Law, PCT Law and EPC Law. Enterprises can comprehensively consider the advantages and disadvantages of various channels and choose a more suitable application channel according to their actual situation.
1. Traditional Paris Pact method. According to the provisions of the Paris Convention, if an invention wants to be patented in more than one country, the applicant can submit an application to the patent offices of several countries within 6 months or 12 months from the priority date. However, this method needs to submit application procedures in various countries and make application documents that meet the requirements of various countries, and applicants need to spend more time, energy and expenses.
2.PCT method, PCT is applicable to China Special Administrative Region. At present, anyone who is a national of China or a legal person of China, or a foreigner with permanent residency in China, is eligible to apply for PCT.
3.EPC mode, EPC is open to all European countries, and a European patent application can specify one or more EPC member countries. Once the application is approved by the European Patent Office, it will take effect in each designated country.