How to protect inventions abroad

A patent is valid only in the country where it is granted. As Sri Lanka is a member of the Paris Convention for the protection of industrial property, Sri Lankans can obtain patents for their inventions in all the member countries of the Paris Convention under the national law of the particular country.. Almost all the countries are members of this convention. You also can claim priority under the Paris Convention for the protection of Industrial Property in its member countries. Under priority you can claim the date of application of the national application in other member countries. ( within 1 year from the date of application in Sri Lanka)

Alternatively, all Sri Lankan nationals or residents can apply under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) administered by World Intellectual Property organization (WIPO) in Geneva. You may apply for a patent in many countries (Member Countries of PCT) through a single application made to WIPO . This is a simpler procedure than making several applications in several countries. Such application has the same effect as national applications filed in the designated countries (For details see www.wipo.int).