Enter the National Phase
If you decide to continue pursuing protection for your invention at the end of the international phase, you must “enter the national phase” with your PCT application. During this phase, each national or regional Office will assess your application and decide whether to grant protection.
Pursue protection for your invention in the national phase
Preparation
Requirements
Quick access
- PCT Applicant's Guide
- Reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)
- Accelerated processing:
PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway (PCT-PPH)
The national phase - common questions
Use the links below to access answers to common questions about the national phase.
- Declarations (inventorship, right to file, etc.)
- Representation by an agent
- Copy and translation of priority document
- Substantive conditions of patentability to be decided by national law
- Correction of translation
- Restoration of the right of priority
- Incorporation by reference of missing or correct elements or parts
- Amendment of the international application for the national phase
- Review in the national phase of certain decisions made during the international phase
- Excusing of delays in meeting time limits
- Rectification of errors made by the Receiving Office or by the International Bureau
- Acts to be performed during the national phase
- Correspondence with and payments to designated Offices
- Deposit of biological material
- Furnishing of a nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence listing
- Request for accelerated examination procedure
