However, it may also be necessary to obtain an export license prior to disclosing certain information to persons in foreign countries or to foreign nationals within the United States. This information is also particularly relevant to multinational corporations, which may have employees-and potential inventors-that are residents and/or citizens of different countries.įoreign filing licenses allow for the disclosure of technology to foreign jurisdictions for the limited purpose of filing patent applications abroad. Two important, but sometimes overlooked issues in patent prosecution, particularly for companies with worldwide patent portfolios, are: 1) when a foreign filing license must be obtained and 2) how to determine when an export license may be necessary. PTAB Legal Experience and Advancement Program (LEAP).