Paris convention versus Patent Cooperation Treaty?

Question

Hi,

Give a choice between Paris convention and PCT, which scores better? I know, sometimes I have no choice - Taiwan is not a signatory to Paris Convention. But if I filed for patent in the US and would like to have a patent also in Norway, should I go Paris Convention or PCT? Pros and cons of the two, please.

Answer 1

The Paris Convention has 172 contracting countries and it is better for the protection of patents.

Answer 2

As an initial matter, Taiwan is not a PCT state either.

Assuming you are talking about a utility application, the main difference is that a PCT filing allows an applicant up to 30 months from the earliest priority to file in Norway (or any other PCT state via national phase entry) whereas the Paris convention only gives the applicant 12 months to file in Norway (or any other Paris Convention Signatory).

You might want to talk to a patent attorney.  International patent matters are tricky and costly.