What is the PCT?
PCT (Patent Co-operation Treaty) is an international treaty which came into existence in 1970. PCT facilitates patent filing in all its member state countries through single filing. PCT is managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) having its headquarters at Geneva and has 156 contracting states/countries as on November 2022.
When Should One Go for a PCT Patent Application?
If you have a business opportunity in the international market and would like to secure your patent rights in other countries, it is advisable to go for a PCT patent application.
Timeline & Fees
Timeline: A PCT patent application has to be filed within 12 months from the priority date.
Fees: It involves International transmittal fees, International search authority fees and any additional fees for extra pages and claims.
Why Should One Go for a PCT Patent Application? What Are the Advantages?
- A single application protects your rights in 156 countries till 30/31 months from priority date.
- No need to file any translation.
- Single fees.
- No need to hire multiple patent attorneys.
- Provides publication.
- Provides international search report on patentability.
- Provides you sufficient time to analyze business interest in other countries before doing investment.
One must be clear that PCT is not going to grant any patent and it is not a global or international patent. PCT or WIPO just facilitates the patent applications. Later you have to file patents in individual countries of interest.
PCT Filing Support at Excelon IP
At Excelon IP, we have a team of Patent Agents qualified to file PCT patent applications who will handhold you through the whole process.
How We Help
- Filing your PCT international patent application within the 12-month priority window.
- Guidance on PCT national phase entry in any other countries of interest.