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The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) [PDF] establishes a cost-effective means for companies and innovators to seek patent protection for inventions in multiple countries. A single international patent application successfully filed under the PCT (also called “PCT application”) has the same legal effect as filing separate patent applications in all Contracting States. It currently has 158 Contracting States.
The PCT also greatly facilitates the processing and examination of international applications by national patent Offices, and provides the general public with access to technical disclosures contained in international applications.
Find out more about the PCT System at: Introduction to the PCT.
News
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PCT Newsletter 02/2026 (February 2026)
February 26, 2026
WIPO Patents and Technology
How to use the PCT system
File a PCT application
Learn about how to file a PCT application, including the required elements, basic requirements, practical details and applicable fees
Manage your PCT application
Understand how to manage your PCT application throughout the international phase, including important procedures and deadlines
Enter the national phase
Find out when and how to proceed with your PCT application in the national phase
ePCT – PCT System online services
Use ePCT to file and manage your international applications as an applicant, or process international applications as a patent Office.
PCT knowledge and resources
PCT legal resources
Information and updates
Other resources
PCT education resources
PCT training events and resources
Register for upcoming PCT training events or explore past training recordings and resources
Learn the PCT video series
Learn the PCT through video lectures by topic
PCT Distance Learning Course
Take a PCT course via the WIPO Distance Learning program
PCT System success stories
Discover the stories of companies and inventors that have successfully taken advantage of the PCT System to seek protection for their inventions
Questions about the PCT System?
Our PCT Information Service team is available to answer your general and legal questions and guide you through the various aspects of using the PCT System.
Need to talk to someone? Call us: +41 22 338 8338 (Monday to Friday 09:00–18:00 CET)