This document discusses how to improve a patent strategy by claiming multiple priorities from provisional patent applications. It recommends filing an initial non-provisional application based on the product idea, followed by additional provisional applications after each development milestone. Finally, a non-provisional application can be filed within 12 months claiming priority from all the earlier provisional and non-provisional applications, allowing additional details and claims to be added while retaining the earlier priority dates. This strategy provides early protection for an invention as it is developed.

1. Patent Strategy 3
How to improve patent strategy 2 by claiming multiple priorities.

2. Again The Starting Point
We have a typical product development circle:
• Idea
• Functional Model
• Prototype
• Product 1.0

3. How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application
product
perfection
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prototype product 1.0 product 2.0
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4. How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application
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5. How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application
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Competitor
launches own
product + files
patent application

6. How to do it the right way?

7. 01.10.2014
non-prov.
filing A
How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application

8. 01.10.2014
non-prov.
filing official
search result
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How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application

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filing official
search result
~ 06/2015
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How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application

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How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application
So what to do now?
File another
expensive non-
provisional patent
application?

11. Provisional patent application:
• this is a preliminary patent application for the invention
• allows for early filing date to be secured for the
invention at a low cost
• official fees need to be paid only in very few countries
• early provisional protection allows for the invention to
be shared with third parties without fear of ideas being
stolen
• provisional protection only! -> must file non-provisional
application claiming priority in 12-months’ time in order
to secure granted patent for the invention.
Provisional patent application VS non-provisional patent application
Non-Provisional patent application:
• this is the finalised patent application that will ultimately
lead to a granted patent for the invention
• all relevant official fees must be paid

12. 01.10.2014
non-prov.
filing
prov. filing
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search result
~ 06/2015
01.07.2015
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How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application

13. 01.10.2014
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filing
prov. filing
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How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application

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How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application
12 months

17. How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application
• Article 4(F), Paris Convention Treaty states:
“No country of the Union may refuse a priority or a patent application on the ground that the applicant
claims multiple priorities, even if they originate in different countries, or on the ground that an application
claiming one or more priorities contains one or more elements that were not included in the application or
applications whose priority is claimed, ...
With respect to the elements not included in the application or applications whose priority is claimed, the
filing of the subsequent application shall give rise to a right of priority under ordinary conditions.”
• This means that:
a) Multiple priority claims from applications filed in different countries are allowed.
b) Adding subject matter when filing a subsequent patent application claiming priority is allowed.
c) The added subject matter in the subsequent application gives rise to a new right of priority for that
particular subject matter.

18. 01.10.2014
non-prov.
filing
prov. filing
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search result
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non-prov.
PCT filing
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prov. filing
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How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application
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filing
prov. filing
priority claim
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search result
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non-prov.
PCT filing
01.10.2015
priority claim
01.07.2015
01.09.2015
prov. filing
priority claim
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How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application
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20. 01.10.2014
non-prov.
filing
prov. filing
priority claim
official
search result
~ 06/2015
non-prov.
PCT filing
01.10.2015
priority claim
01.07.2015
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prov. filing
priority claim
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21. 01.10.2014
non-prov.
filing
prov. filing
priority claim
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search result
~ 06/2015
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PCT filing
01.10.2015
priority claim
01.07.2015
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prov. filing
priority claim
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How to use a priority claim for adding subject matter to a patent application
12 months

22. Summary:
• If you have an ongoing development for a specific product, file patent applications after each milestone
being reached
• The first patent application should be filed before even making a functional model of the new product,
based on the pure product idea.
• The first patent application should be filed as a non-provisional patent application, together with a
search request. This will provide you with an early official search result.
• At the end of the priority year of the first patent application, file a non-provisional patent application,
claiming all the priorities of those patent applications that have been filed during that priority year.