Accession of Uruguay to the PCT
New PCT Contracting State Uruguay (country code: UY)
On 7 October 2024, Uruguay deposited its instrument of accession to the PCT, thus becoming the 158th Contracting State of the PCT. It will become bound by the PCT on 7 January 2025.
Consequently, any international application filed on or after 7 January 2025 will automatically include the designation of Uruguay allowing foreign innovators and companies to use the PCT System to seek patent protection for their inventions in Uruguay. As the instrument of accession deposited by Uruguay also contained a reservation that it will not be bound by Chapter II of the PCT, it will not be automatically elected in any demand filed in respect of an international application filed on or after 7 January 2025.
Furthermore, nationals and residents of Uruguay will be entitled, as from 7 January 2025, to file international applications under the PCT as a means of seeking patent protection in PCT Contracting States.
Further information on the accession to the PCT by Uruguay has been published on the WIPO website at:
https://www.wipo.int/pct/en/news/2024/news_0027.html
Information on Uruguay’s functioning as a PCT receiving Office and designated Office will soon be available in the PCT Applicant’s Guide.