Taking advantage of the differences in patent application and disclosure systems in different countries to extend the time to market for products around the world is a complex but effective strategy. Here are several possible methods and strategies: ### 1. **Priority strategy** - **Using the PCT system**: Submitting international patent applications through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) allows you to apply for patents in multiple member states at the same time, while enjoying a national phase delay of up to 30 months. This provides companies with more time to evaluate the market and decide on the specific national application sequence. - **Regional priority**: Submit an application first in a certain region (such as Europe or East Asia), and take advantage of the different timetables of countries in the region in terms of examination and granting patents to optimize the global patent layout. ### 2. **Phase-based application** - **Gradual submission**: Apply for patents in major markets (such as the United States and Europe) first, and then submit them in other countries in stages. This can not only reduce initial costs, but also adjust subsequent strategies based on the reactions of the first batch of countries. - **Choose delayed disclosure**: Some countries allow delayed disclosure of application documents. By keeping confidentiality in these countries in advance, the product disclosure can be delayed, thereby extending the market exclusivity period. ### 3. **Use different disclosure and publication systems** - **Disclosure differences between countries**: Some countries disclose the application content a long time after the application (such as China usually discloses it after 18 months). Taking advantage of the longer confidentiality period in these countries, competitors can be delayed from obtaining technical information. - **Confidentiality strategy**: Before disclosing the patent application, ensure that the relevant technical information is kept confidential in a specific country to avoid early disclosure in non-applicant countries affecting the global patent layout. ### 4. **Diversified patent types** - **Combined patent applications**: Apply for multiple types of patents (such as invention patents, utility models, and designs), and use different patent types in different countries to extend the overall protection period. - **Continuous innovation**: Through continuous research and development and application for additional patents for improved technology, "patent perpetuity" is achieved to extend the market exclusivity period of the product. ### 5. **Strategic market selection** - **Prioritize strategic market selection**: Based on the market potential and competitive environment of the product, prioritize patent applications in key markets to ensure first-mover advantage in these high-value markets, while delaying applications in low-priority markets. - **Avoid overly strict countries**: Patent examination in some countries is strict and time-consuming. By postponing applications in these countries, you can occupy the market in other countries first and extend the global launch time. ### 6. **Legal and time management** - **Understand the differences in patent laws of various countries**: Have a deep understanding of the patent application, examination and granting processes of the target countries, and optimize the application strategy by taking advantage of the differences in the first application date, priority date, etc. of different countries. - **Time management**: Accurately manage the time nodes of patent applications in various countries to ensure that all applications are submitted at the most favorable time to maximize the overall patent protection period. ### 7. **Cooperation and licensing** - **Cross-border cooperation**: Cooperate with local technical partners or legal advisors in various countries to optimize the global patent layout by leveraging their expertise and network. - **License agreement**: Outsource patents to local companies through license agreements, while ensuring patent protection, delaying direct disclosure and application in certain countries. ### Notes - **Legal compliance**: Ensure that all strategies comply with the patent laws of various countries and international treaties to avoid invalidation or rejection of patents due to improper operations. - **Cost management**: Global patent applications and maintenance costs are high, and budget constraints must be fully considered when formulating strategies. - **Professional support**: It is recommended to cooperate with international patent lawyers or professional institutions to develop and implement complex global patent strategies to ensure the effectiveness and legality of the strategies. By comprehensively applying the above strategies, enterprises can effectively utilize the differences in patent application and disclosure systems in different countries and optimize the global patent layout, thereby extending the exclusive time of products in the global market and improving competitive advantages.