PCT – The International Patent System
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) assists applicants in seeking patent protection internationally for their inventions, helps patent Offices with their patent granting decisions, and facilitates public access to a wealth of technical information relating to those inventions. By filing one international patent application under the PCT, applicants can simultaneously seek protection for an invention in a very large number of countries. Read more about the PCT.
153 PCT Contracting States
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PCT Newsletter – News and information for users of the PCT System, including fee tables and seminars. Monthly.
Sign upLegal
- Treaty, Regulations and Administrative Instructions
Treaty
Regulations
Administrative Instructions - Guidelines for Authorities and Offices
- Legal Text Index (July 1, 2019) Archives
- Reservations and Incompatibilities
- Official Notices (PCT Gazette) Collection
- Amendments to the Regulations (July 1, 2019)
Archives - FAQs
- ISA and IPEA Agreements
- PATENTSCOPE
PATENTSCOPE Resources
States
- PCT Contracting States
- States bound by the Paris Convention but not the PCT
- States Party to PCT/Paris/WTO
- Time Limits for Entering National/Regional Phase
- Types of Protection
- Regional Patents via the PCT
- Restoration of the Right of Priority
- Waivers: Powers of Attorney
- Access to IPER under Rule 94.1(c)
- International applications and national security considerations
- IPO Closed Dates
Filing
- ePCT (WIPO IP Portal)
ePCT for Applicants and Third Parties - Contingency Upload Service (FAQs)
- Direct filing with the IB
- PCT eServices
- PCT Applicant's Guide
- PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot (PCT-PPH)
- Collaborative Search and Examination
- Collection of PCT User Strategies
- PCT Time Limit Calculator
- Forms
Request
Demand - Fees
PCT Fee Tables
- ePCT for Authorities and Offices
- Guidelines for Authorities and Offices
- Quality Reports by International Authorities
- PCT Office Feedback Survey 2016-2017
- Minimum Documentation: Patents and Non-Patent Literature
How to
File your application
Manage your application
ePCT with strong authentication provides online access to the file of your international application and a suite of functions to facilitate monitoring and management during the international phase.
Search published applications
Published international applications are available on PATENTSCOPE, one of WIPO's global databases. This database also includes patent documents from 57 participating Offices providing public access, free of charge to over 74 million technology disclosures.
Contacts
For questions related to:
Your specific PCT application
Contact your “authorized officer”.
Online:
Through ePCT (WIPO IP Portal) (with or without strong authentication)
Through Contingency Upload Service (FAQs)
As of January 1, 2020, limited fax services are available to: +41 22 338 8270 and +41 22 338 9090
PCT general or legal matters
E-mail: PCT Information Service
Tel: +41 22 338 8338
More about the PCT Information Service
Filing a PCT application at the receiving Office of the International Bureau
E-mail: PCT Receiving Office
Tel: +41 22 338 9222
As of January 1, 2020, limited fax services are available to: +41 22 338 8270 and +41 22 338 9090
More about filing a PCT application directly at the RO/IB; including through Contingency Upload Service (FAQs)
E-filing with ePCT and PCT-SAFE and Contingency Upload Service
E-mail: PCT eServices
Tel: +41 22 338 9523
More about PCT eServices, ePCT (WIPO IP Portal), PCT-SAFE, Contingency Upload Service (FAQs) and DAS
Available from Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 6.00 pm CET
More about the PCT
General information
- About the Patent Cooperation Treaty
- Protecting your Inventions Abroad: Frequently Asked Questions About the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
- PCT in the News
- PCT Milestone: 3 million
- PCT Two Million
- Gallery of PCT Notable Inventions and Inventors
- PCT User Survey 2017 Archives
- PCT Case Studies
- PCT Presentations
- PCT Statistics
Meetings and documents
Training
- Learn the PCT Video Series
- PCT Distance Learning Course
- Seminars
- PCT Webinars
Reference
- Treaty, Regulations and Administrative Instructions
- Guidelines for Authorities and Offices
- Forms
- EQE Candidates
- Washington Diplomatic Conference on the PCT
- Common Application Format
- Directives for New Equivalent Amounts of Certain PCT Fees
- PCT Glossary
- PCT Case Law Database
- History of the PCT Regulations
- PCT Yearly Review
Related Links
Patents
- Patents
- Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP)
- WIPO Policy Guide: Alternatives in Patent Search and Examination
- Patent Register Portal