          
          
          
                  Territoriality and International Agreements
          
               The rights granted by a U.S. patent, trademark, 
          copyright, or mask work (semiconductor chip) registration 
          extend only through the United States, its territories and 
          possessions. They confer no protection in a foreign 
          country. There is no such thing as an international patent, 
          trademark or copyright. To secure rights in any country, 
          you must apply for a patent or register a mask work or 
          trademark. Copyright protection depends on national laws, 
          but registration is typically not required.
          
               There is no real "short cut" to worldwide protection. 
          However, some advantages exist under treaties or other 
          international agreements.
          
          
