Patents Online: Basics for Researchers: Foreign or International Patents

• A patent applies only in the country/countries in which it was filed

• 1. To locate the full-text of a registered or pending patent in other countries see http://worldwide.espacenet.com/

– Type in the publication or application number using Advanced Search. Click on the title retrieved and then on Original Documents to view/download in PDF

 
• 2. To search foreign patents via the European Union site http://worldwide.espacenet.com/

– Identify a relevant U.S. patent
– Use the international classification found on a this patent
– Using the Advanced Search, search by this classification
– Coverage in Espacenet will vary by country