Should a SaaS startup file in the US or Europe first?
Reviewed by
Dominic Davies, patent attorney (20+ years)
· Last reviewed
September 11, 2026
File first where your market and competitors are, but draft for both from the start: the USPTO applies the Alice framework while the EPO looks for a technical effect, and a priority filing in one gives you 12 months to extend to the other. A PCT application keeps international options open while you decide.
We use essential cookies to make our site work. 🍪 With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking “Accept,” you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy. You can change your cookie settings at any time by clicking “Preferences.”