Why do many companies, including European ones, still seek a US patent? Is it because the EPC does not provide sufficient protection? Does the long tradition of US patents compared to the EPC play a decisive role, or is the reason found in the easier granting of US patents? Is the difference between the systems significant, or are the granting and application processes nearly identical? This book provides an overview of the two patent systems. In addition to the theoretical comparison of applications, it also sheds light on the actual practices of the European Patent Office and the Patent and Trademark Office.