–  Selective Protection: The Paris Convention allows inventors to file individual national applications in each of the 179 contracting member countries.

–  Priority Deadline: You have 12 months to file in other member countries while preserving the priority date from your initial first filed application in a member state. It’s a strategic advantage for those looking to secure patents in particular regions.

–  Priority Protection: The Paris Convention primarily aims to secure your priority date in other member countries, which is crucial for ensuring your innovation is protected within the diverse list of participating nations.

–  No Centralized Examination: It’s important to note that the Paris Convention doesn’t provide centralized examination. While it offers priority, it does not grant protection against rejections in other member countries.

–  Applies to industrial property in the widest sense:  includes patents, trademarks, industrial designs, utility models, service marks, trade names, geographical indications, and the repression of unfair competition.

–  It differs from the PCT: The Paris Convention is often confused with the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The PCT is also an international treaty that enables applicants to file a patent once and then extend protection in other countries within a time window. The difference between the Paris Convention and a PCT filing, however, is that the PCT is equivalent to filing separate patent applications in each specific PCT country. 

Understanding the core principles and areas of focus of the Paris Convention is vital for inventors seeking targeted patent protection. Stay tuned for more insights and remember to consult with experts to make the right choice for your international patent strategy.