Whether you are a laboratory scientist, an industry executive, or an attorney, chances are that you will need to learn more about the patent application process at one time or another. The following World Wide Web sites should give you a good start.
European Patent Office
The European Patent Office Web site contains information about EPO activities and provides links with the national patent office of your country. You can search the European Patent Attorney database to find a patent attorney who can defend your intellectual property rights.
Japanese Patent Office
The Japanese Patent Office site includes the results of a comparative study on biotechnology patent practices in the USPTO, the EPO and the JPO.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
The site of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office offers forms to apply for patents, information on patent fees and review procedures, as well as legal information.
World Intellectual Property Organisation
The World Intellectual Property Organisation Web site provides information about the treaties it administers. It contains the list of countries who have ratified the Budapest Treaty and of the culture collections recognised as IDA.
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