Request for Early Publication of Patents
What is Request for Early Publication of Patent?
A request for early publication of a patent application allows the applicant to expedite the publication of the patent application prior to the standard 18-month publication timeline. This provision allows for expedited disclosure of the invention to the public domain.
- Standard Publication window of patent application : Typically, a patent application is published after expiry of 18 months from the date of filing.
- Filing for Early Publication: Filing a request for early publication enables the applicant to have their patent application published before the standard 18-month period.
- Publication by Controller: The Controller is required to publish the application promptly upon receiving a valid request.
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Advantages of Early Publication:
- Grants provisional rights from the date of publication
- Increases legal visibility of the invention
- Can deter potential infringement by alerting competitors early
- Strengthens negotiation and licensing opportunities
Early publication is an effective legal mechanism for enhancing patent protection strategy and public disclosure of innovation at an accelerated pace.