International Patent Filing Strategy

国际专利申请策略

An inventor considers expanding patent protection globally and discusses different international filing routes (e.g., PCT, Paris Convention) with their attorney, weighing costs and benefits for various regions.

发明人考虑在全球范围内扩展专利保护，并与律师讨论不同的国际申请途径（例如PCT、巴黎公约），权衡不同地区的成本和效益。

对话

聆听并跟进对话

Inventor (Male)

Thanks for meeting with me, Sarah. I'm starting to think about international patent protection for my new device. What's the best approach?

谢谢你，莎拉。我开始考虑我新设备的国际专利保护了。最好的方法是什么？

Attorney (Female)

Of course, John. When considering global protection, we typically look at two main routes: the PCT application and direct national filings under the Paris Convention. Each has its pros and cons.

不客气，约翰。考虑全球保护时，我们通常会考虑两种主要途径：PCT申请和根据《巴黎公约》直接进行国家申请。每种都有其优缺点。

Inventor (Male)

I've heard of PCT, but I'm not entirely clear on how it works. Could you elaborate on the benefits, especially in terms of cost and flexibility?

我听说过PCT，但对它的运作方式不太清楚。你能详细说明一下它的好处吗，尤其是在成本和灵活性方面？

Attorney (Female)

Certainly. The PCT, or Patent Cooperation Treaty, allows you to file one international application that can then be processed in multiple countries. This delays the significant national filing costs for up to 30 or 31 months, giving you time to assess market potential and secure funding for specific regions.

当然。PCT，即专利合作条约，允许您提交一份国际申请，然后可以在多个国家进行处理。这会将巨额的国家申请费用推迟长达30或31个月，让您有时间评估市场潜力并为特定地区获得资金。

Inventor (Male)

That delayed cost seems very attractive. What about the Paris Convention? How does that differ, and when would that be a better option?

这种延迟付款听起来很有吸引力。那巴黎公约呢？它有什么不同，什么时候会是更好的选择？

Attorney (Female)

The Paris Convention route involves directly filing national applications in each country within 12 months of your first filing. This is often preferred if you only need protection in a few specific, definite countries and want those protections granted more quickly, as it bypasses the PCT's international search phase.

巴黎公约路线涉及在您的首次申请后12个月内直接在每个国家提交国家申请。如果您只需要在几个特定、确定的国家获得保护，并且希望这些保护更快获得批准，那么这种方式通常更受欢迎，因为它跳过了PCT的国际检索阶段。

Inventor (Male)

So, if I'm not sure which countries yet, PCT offers flexibility. But if I know for certain, say, the US, Europe, and Japan, direct filings might be faster?

那么，如果我还不确定是哪些国家，PCT提供了灵活性。但如果我非常确定，比如美国、欧洲和日本，直接提交可能会更快？

Attorney (Female)

Exactly. And even with a PCT, you still eventually enter national phases in your chosen countries, but you have the benefit of the international search report and preliminary examination reports from the PCT phase, which can streamline national prosecution.

没错。即使是PCT，您最终仍需进入您选择国家的国家阶段，但您将受益于PCT阶段的国际检索报告和初步审查报告，这可以简化国家审查程序。

Inventor (Male)

That makes a lot more sense now. I think the PCT sounds like a good starting point, given I'm still exploring markets. Can we discuss the initial steps for a PCT application?

我现在明白多了。考虑到我还在探索市场，PCT听起来是个不错的起点。我们能讨论一下PCT申请的初始步骤吗？

Attorney (Female)

Absolutely. The first step would be to prepare a robust patent specification that meets PCT requirements. We can schedule a follow-up to go over the drafting process and filing timeline.

当然。第一步是准备一份符合PCT要求的、完善的专利说明书。我们可以安排一次后续会议，讨论起草过程和提交时间表。

词汇

对话中的必备词汇和短语

protection

This means safeguarding or keeping something safe from harm or copying, like protecting an invention with a patent so others can't use it without permission.

这意味着保护或保持某物免受伤害或复制，比如用专利保护一项发明，以便他人未经许可无法使用它。

routes

In this context, it refers to different ways or paths to achieve a goal, such as different methods for filing patents internationally.

在这种情况下，它指的是实现目标的不同方式或路径，例如国际提交专利的不同方法。

pros and cons

A common phrase meaning advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of something, used when comparing options like patent filing methods.

一个常见短语，意为某事的优点（pros）和缺点（cons），用于比较如专利申请方法等选项。

elaborate

To explain something in more detail, often used in conversations when you want someone to provide additional information.

更详细地解释某事，通常在对话中使用，当你想让某人提供额外信息时。

flexibility

The quality of being adaptable or able to change easily, here referring to how a patent system allows adjustments based on new information.

适应性或容易改变的品质，这里指的是专利系统如何允许基于新信息的调整。

assess

To evaluate or judge the value or potential of something, like checking market potential before spending money on patents.

评估或判断某事物的价值或潜力，例如在为专利花费金钱之前检查市场潜力。

streamline

To make a process simpler and more efficient, reducing time or effort, as in simplifying patent approval in countries.

使流程更简单和高效，减少时间或努力，例如简化国家专利审批。

robust

Strong, detailed, and well-prepared, describing something like a patent document that is thorough and meets requirements.

强大、详细且准备充分，描述像专利文件这样彻底且满足要求的东西。

关键句型

需要记住和练习的重要短语

What's the best approach?

This is a direct question asking for the most effective method or strategy. It's useful in professional discussions to seek advice; uses simple present tense for general inquiries.

这是一个直接询问最有效方法或策略的问题。在专业讨论中用于寻求建议；使用简单现在时进行一般查询。

Each has its pros and cons.

This sentence compares options by noting advantages and disadvantages. It's practical for business or decision-making talks; 'each' refers to multiple items, and 'its' shows possession.

这个句子通过指出优缺点来比较选项。它在商业或决策讨论中很实用；'each' 指代多个项目，'its' 表示所有权。

Could you elaborate on the benefits?

A polite request for more details on advantages. Useful when you need clarification; 'could you' makes it courteous, and 'elaborate on' is a common phrasal verb for explaining further.

一个礼貌地请求更多关于优势的细节。当你需要澄清时很有用；'could you' 使它礼貌，'elaborate on' 是用于进一步解释的常见短语动词。

This delays the significant national filing costs for up to 30 or 31 months.

Describes postponing expenses over time. Helpful for discussing financial planning; 'delays' is present simple for facts, and 'up to' indicates a maximum period.

描述了随着时间推迟费用的情况。有助于讨论财务规划；'delays' 是用于事实的现在简单时，'up to' 表示最大期限。

How does that differ?

Asks for differences between two things. Practical for comparisons in consultations; simple present 'does' for questions about general differences.

询问两件事物之间的差异。在咨询中进行比较很实用；使用简单现在时 'does' 来询问一般差异。

That makes a lot more sense now.

Expresses understanding after an explanation. Useful in learning or advisory situations to show comprehension; 'makes sense' is an idiom meaning logical, with 'a lot more' for emphasis.

在解释后表达理解。在学习或咨询情况下用于显示理解；'makes sense' 是意为逻辑的习语，'a lot more' 用于强调。

Can we discuss the initial steps?

Requests to talk about first actions in a process. Good for planning meetings; 'can we' is polite for suggestions, and 'initial steps' refers to starting procedures.

请求讨论流程中的第一个行动。适合规划会议；'can we' 是礼貌的建议表达，'initial steps' 指的是起始程序。