When Patents Go Wrong … And What To Do About It

Everyone involved with IP knows by heart the patent timeline: first-filing before any disclosure, PCT and/or other filings at 12 months, national phase entry at 30, meet Patent Office deadlines and pay renewal fees thereafter. But sometimes it does not work out that way. Mistakes happen, fortunately not often but somehow always seemingly on a key case! This practical session will look at grace periods worldwide in relation to inventor disclosures, restoration of priority, late national phase entry and other “restoration” situations relating to missed renewal fee payments and other deadlines. It will also consider how to adapt your filing strategy to account for different scenarios that may arise as a result of missed deadlines.