PCT - The International Patent System
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) assists applicants in seeking patent protection internationally for their inventions, helps patent offices with their patent granting decisions, and facilitates public access to a wealth of technical information relating to those inventions.
By filing one international patent application under the PCT, applicants can simultaneously seek protection for an invention in a large number of countries.
Find out more: About the PCT | PCT Highlights | PCT Yearly Review
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The PCT: Seeking Patent Protection Beyond Borders
World Intellectual Property Day 2024
WIPO's Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) enables innovators to seek multinational patent protection for new technologies which are relevant to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Join us in celebrating World Intellectual Property Day 2024! Explore how IP can amplify the impact of innovative and creative solutions for building our common future and achieving the SDGs.
News
PCT Newsletter 04/2024 (April 2024)
April 22, 2024
Announcement of Outage of the ePCT System
April 8, 2024
PCT Newsletter 03/2024 (March 2024)
March 22, 2024
Email updates
- PCT Newsletter - News and information for users of the PCT System, including fee tables and seminars. Monthly.
Legal
- Treaty, Regulations and Administrative Instructions
Treaty
Regulations
Administrative Instructions - Guidelines for Authorities and Offices
- Legal Text Index (July 1, 2022) Archives
- Reservations and Incompatibilities
- Official Notices (PCT Gazette) Collection
- Amendments to the Regulations (July 1, 2024)
Archives - FAQs
- ISA and IPEA Agreements
- PATENTSCOPE
PATENTSCOPE Resources
States
- PCT Contracting States
- States bound by the Paris Convention but not the PCT
- States Party to PCT/Paris/WTO
- Time Limits for Entering National/Regional Phase
- Types of Protection
- Regional Patents via the PCT
- Restoration of the Right of Priority
- Waivers: Powers of Attorney
- Acceptance of documents in pre-conversion format
- Access to IPER under Rule 94.1(c)
- International applications and national security considerations
- IPO Closed Dates
- Unavailability of Electronic Means of Communication
Filing
- ePCT (WIPO IP Portal)
- ePCT Business Continuity Service (FAQs)
- Direct filing with the IB
- Filing sequence listings under ST.26
- PCT eServices
- PCT Applicant's Guide
- PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot (PCT-PPH)
- Collaborative Search and Examination
- Collection of PCT User Strategies
- PCT Time Limit Calculator
- Forms
Request
Demand - Fees
PCT Fee Tables
WIPO Pay
- ePCT for Authorities and Offices
- Guidelines for Authorities and Offices
- Quality Reports by International Authorities
- PCT Office Feedback Survey 2020-2021 Archives
- Minimum Documentation: Patents and Non-Patent Literature
How to
File your application
Manage your application
ePCT with strong authentication provides online access to the file of your international application and a suite of functions to facilitate monitoring and management during the international phase.
Search published applications
Published international applications are available on PATENTSCOPE, one of WIPO's global databases. This database also includes patent documents from 78 participating Offices providing public access, free of charge to over 112 million technology disclosures.
Contacts
For questions related to:
Your specific PCT application
Contact your "authorized officer".
Online:
Through ePCT (WIPO IP Portal) (with or without strong authentication)
Through ePCT Business Continuity Service (FAQs)
As of 1 January 2020, limited fax services are available to: +41 22 338 8270 and +41 22 338 9090
PCT general or legal matters
E-mail: PCT Information Service
Tel: +41 22 338 8338
More about the PCT Information Service
Filing a PCT application at the receiving Office of the International Bureau
E-mail: PCT Receiving Office
Tel: +41 22 338 9222
As of 1 January 2020, limited fax services are available to: +41 22 338 8270 and +41 22 338 9090
More about filing a PCT application directly at the RO/IB; including through ePCT Business Continuity Service (FAQs)
E-filing with ePCT and PCT-SAFE and ePCT Business Continuity Service
E-mail: PCT eServices
Tel: +41 22 338 9523
More about PCT eServices, ePCT (WIPO IP Portal), PCT-SAFE, ePCT Business Continuity Service (FAQs) and DAS
Available from Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 6.00 pm CET
More about the PCT
General information
Meetings and documents
Training
Reference
- Treaty, Regulations and Administrative Instructions
- Guidelines for Authorities and Offices
- Forms
- EQE Candidates
- Washington Diplomatic Conference on the PCT
- Common Application Format
- Directives for New Equivalent Amounts of Certain PCT Fees
- PCT Glossary
- PCT Case Law Database
- History of the PCT Regulations
- PCT Yearly Review
Related Links
Patents
- Patents
- Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP)
- WIPO Policy Guide: Alternatives in Patent Search and Examination
- Patent Register Portal