Patent Cooperation Treaty

Done at Washington on June 19, 1970,
amended on September 28, 1979,
modified on February 3, 1984, and on October 3, 2001

(as in force from April 1, 2002)

Table of Contents*

Preamble 

Introductory Provisions 

• Article 1 Establishment of a Union 
• Article 2 Definitions 

Chapter I: International Application and International Search 

• Article 3 The International Application 
• Article 4 The Request 
• Article 5 The Description 
• Article 6 The Claims 
• Article 7 The Drawings 
• Article 8 Claiming Priority 
• Article 9 The Applicant 
• Article 10 The Receiving Office 
• Article 11 Filing Date and Effects of the International Application 
• Article 12 Transmittal of the International Application to the International Bureau and the International Searching Authority 
• Article 13 Availability of Copy of the International Application to Designated Offices 
• Article 14 Certain Defects in the International Application 
• Article 15 The International Search 
• Article 16 The International Searching Authority 
• Article 17 Procedure Before the International Searching Authority 
• Article 18 The International Search Report 
• Article 19 Amendment of the Claims Before the International Bureau 
• Article 20 Communication to Designated Offices 
• Article 21 International Publication 
• Article 22 Copy, Translation, and Fee, to Designated Offices 
• Article 23 Delaying of National Procedure 
• Article 24 Possible Loss of Effect in Designated States 
• Article 25 Review by Designated Offices 
• Article 26 Opportunity to Correct Before Designated Offices 
• Article 27 National Requirements 
• Article 28 Amendment of the Claims, the Description, and the Drawings, Before Designated Offices 
• Article 29 Effects of the International Publication 
• Article 30 Confidential Nature of the International Application 

Chapter II: International Preliminary Examination 

• Article 31 Demand for International Preliminary Examination 
• Article 32 The International Preliminary Examining Authority 
• Article 33 The International Preliminary Examination 
• Article 34 Procedure Before the International Preliminary Examining Authority 
• Article 35 The International Preliminary Examination Report 
• Article 36 Transmittal, Translation, and Communication, of the International Preliminary Examination Report 
• Article 37 Withdrawal of Demand or Election 
• Article 38 Confidential Nature of the International Preliminary Examination 
• Article 39 Copy, Translation, and Fee, to Elected Offices 
• Article 40 Delaying of National Examination and Other Processing 
• Article 41 Amendment of the Claims, the Description, and the Drawings, Before Elected Offices 
• Article 42 Results of National Examination in Elected Offices 

Chapter III: Common Provisions 

• Article 43 Seeking Certain Kinds of Protection 
• Article 44 Seeking Two Kinds of Protection 
• Article 45 Regional Patent Treaties 
• Article 46 Incorrect Translation of the International Application 
• Article 47 Time Limits 
• Article 48 Delay in Meeting Certain Time Limits 
• Article 49 Right to Practice Before International Authorities 

Chapter IV: Technical Services 

• Article 50 Patent Information Services 
• Article 51 Technical Assistance 
• Article 52 Relations with Other Provisions of the Treaty 

Chapter V: Administrative Provisions 

• Article 53 Assembly 
• Article 54 Executive Committee 
• Article 55 International Bureau 
• Article 56 Committee for Technical Cooperation 
• Article 57 Finances 
• Article 58 Regulations 

Chapter VI: Disputes 

• Article 59 Disputes 

Chapter VII: Revision and Amendment 

• Article 60 Revision of the Treaty 
• Article 61 Amendment of Certain Provisions of the Treaty 

Chapter VIII: Final Provisions

• Article 62 Becoming Party to the Treaty 
• Article 63 Entry into Force of the Treaty 
• Article 64 Reservations 
• Article 65 Gradual Application 
• Article 66 Denunciation 
• Article 67 Signature and Languages 
• Article 68 Depositary Functions 
• Article 69 Notifications

* Table of Contents added for the convenience of the reader; it does not appear in the original.