International Patent Application (PCT)

International patent application refers to a patent application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, which enables applicants to seek patent protection in multiple countries through a single, centralized procedure.

Instead of filing separate national applications from the outset, applicants submit one international application, which has effect in all designated PCT member states. This simplifies the filing process and provides a unified framework for early-stage examination.

The PCT procedure includes several key stages: international filing, international search conducted by an International Searching Authority, publication of the application, and optionally, international preliminary examination carried out by an International Preliminary Examining Authority. These steps provide applicants with valuable information about the patentability of their invention.

Importantly, the PCT does not itself grant a patent. After the international phase, applicants must enter national or regional phases in the countries where protection is sought, where final examination and grant decisions are made.

The international patent application system offers significant advantages, including extended time (typically up to 30 or 31 months) to decide on jurisdictions, reduced initial administrative burden, and improved strategic planning for global patent protection.