Questions about country codes in different types of patent numbers
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 5:30 am
Dear colleagues, I need help to clear my mind on the country code used in different types of patent number. I'm working on a research project and this is critical to make sure I'm making the correct hypothesis. Appreciate your help to answer the questions below:
1. Does the country code in the priority number indicate the country where the first priority was filed?
2. Does the country code in the application number indicate where the patent was filed, which might be later than the priority and different from the priority country?
Furthermore, if a patent's priority number is US2014... and application number is CN2015..., does it indicate the invention was probably done in the United States (inventors in the U.S. while they were working on the invention?) and then filed in China? What's the possible scenario?
In the search results, it seems that a patent can have multiple priority numbers that refer to multiple claims, but only one application number. But I also believe a patent can be filed in multiple countries/regions as in a patent family. So why do I always see only one application number per patent?
3. Does the country code in the publication number indicate where the patent was published - following an application in the same country, I assume?
Furthermore, one patent can be published in multiple countries, as in the "Also published as" field. Does it mean a separate application has been filed in each of the country/region for there to be a publication number starting with the country code, including EP and WO?
Is it possible to see a patent with different country codes in its application number and publication number? If yes, what's the possible scenario?
4. Country code of inventors: Is it nationality or residence address?
5. Country code of applicants: Is it the country where the applicant/institute is registered or the physical location of the very division where the invention was developed?
For example, there are patents with applicant country as Japan, inventor country as China, priority number beginning with US and application number beginning with EP. Does it mean a company headquartered in Japan has a Chinese-nationality employee working in the company's U.S. office who developed the patent. They claimed priority through USPTO, but then decided to seek for IP protection in Europe because the potential product is targeted to be launched in Europe?
If the company does have a division in the U.S. or any employees working in the U.S., but still claim priority through USPTO, what might be the reason?
Many thanks!!!
1. Does the country code in the priority number indicate the country where the first priority was filed?
2. Does the country code in the application number indicate where the patent was filed, which might be later than the priority and different from the priority country?
Furthermore, if a patent's priority number is US2014... and application number is CN2015..., does it indicate the invention was probably done in the United States (inventors in the U.S. while they were working on the invention?) and then filed in China? What's the possible scenario?
In the search results, it seems that a patent can have multiple priority numbers that refer to multiple claims, but only one application number. But I also believe a patent can be filed in multiple countries/regions as in a patent family. So why do I always see only one application number per patent?
3. Does the country code in the publication number indicate where the patent was published - following an application in the same country, I assume?
Furthermore, one patent can be published in multiple countries, as in the "Also published as" field. Does it mean a separate application has been filed in each of the country/region for there to be a publication number starting with the country code, including EP and WO?
Is it possible to see a patent with different country codes in its application number and publication number? If yes, what's the possible scenario?
4. Country code of inventors: Is it nationality or residence address?
5. Country code of applicants: Is it the country where the applicant/institute is registered or the physical location of the very division where the invention was developed?
For example, there are patents with applicant country as Japan, inventor country as China, priority number beginning with US and application number beginning with EP. Does it mean a company headquartered in Japan has a Chinese-nationality employee working in the company's U.S. office who developed the patent. They claimed priority through USPTO, but then decided to seek for IP protection in Europe because the potential product is targeted to be launched in Europe?
If the company does have a division in the U.S. or any employees working in the U.S., but still claim priority through USPTO, what might be the reason?
Many thanks!!!