PCT One million and counting

With innovation today driving economic growth and social development, innovators the world over are choosing WIPO's international patent filing system, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), as the preferred path for patenting their inventions. By year-end 2004, the PCT topped one million applications from across the globe.

• One million new ideas. 
• One million new solutions.
• One million technical advances publicly disclosed, fueling technology transfer and stimulating still more innovation. 

WIPO pays tribute to the world's innovators, and reaffirms its commitment to provide them with continually improving PCT services.  Read more...

Message from the Director General of WIPO

• "...I congratulate you and thank you for the role you have played in enabling the PCT to reach this impressive milestone..." (Kamil Idris, Director General of WIPO).  Read more...

Why does your company use the PCT?

• "...For companies striving to survive in an unforgiving business climate, it would not be an overstatement to say that the PCT system is fundamental in acquiring patent protection globally." (Matsushita).  Read more...
• ".... PCT is the greatest advance in foreign patent practice and patent portfolio management since the Paris Convention came into force ... " (Procter & Gamble). Read more...
• "... Huawei has regarded the PCT as a main way and an important strategy of foreign application. Huawei's number of PCT applications is expected to increase further in the coming years." (Huawei). Read more...
• "...a valuable tool in our "toolbox" of options for protecting 3M's inventions..." (3M). Read more...
• "...an effective way to preserve the opportunity to file for international patent protection..."(DuPont). Read more...
• "Companies are increasingly being judged on their …success in strategically leveraging their intellectual assets - the PCT system lays down an excellent path for achieving [this]." (Biocon). Read more...
• "... playing an ever increasingly important role in promoting the development of world science and technology ..." (CCPIT Patent & Trademark Law Office). Read more...
• "By the year 2003, PCT filings by Chinese applicants reached 1,205 cases with the PCT being used for almost 50% of all foreign patent filings in the national phase in China." (Shanghai Patent & Trademark Law Office). Read more...