PCT System

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is an international agreement between 157 Patent Offices around the world, for filing patent applications having effect in many countries around the world. Although the PCT system does not provide for the “grant” of an “International Patent”, the system simplifies the process of filing National applications in foreign countries. The PCT system offers a preliminary patentability search and an optional preliminary examination report. The PCT system provides an Applicant with a certain period, 30 months from the priority date generally, to decide in which countries he/she wants to file National patent applications, to find resident agents and representatives in these countries, to obtain translations of the application in the language of these countries, and to file National patent applications in these countries.