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Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) makes it possible to seek patent protection for an invention simultaneously in each of a large number of countries by filing an "international" patent application. Such an application may be filed by anyone who is a national or resident of a PCT Contracting State. It may generally be filed with the national patent office of the Contracting State of which the applicant is a national or resident or, at the applicant's option, with the International Bureau of WIPO in Geneva.

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Additional information

Patent Cooperation Treaty milestones

Patent Cooperation Treaty
  • Adopted: Washington - June 19, 1970
  • Amended: September 28, 1979
  • Modified:
    ○ February 3, 1984
    ○ October 3, 2001

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