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Global patent protection under the Patent Cooperation Treaty

PCT International Application

With this mechanism, the applicant files a single application with a receiving office and can seek patent protection in the treaty’s member states at the same time.

Patent filings are handled through an affiliated patent agency.

Get a quote
  • File online
  • Quote online
  • Track progress online

The PCT international application is a filing mechanism established by the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Compared with filing country by country, it not only simplifies the procedure but also gives the applicant extra time to assess target markets, find partners and prepare to enter the local procedure of each country.

When you need it

  • You plan to seek patent protection in several member states
  • You need extra time to assess target markets and find partners
  • You are preparing to enter the local procedure of each country

What you get

  • Drafting and translation of the application documents
  • Responses during the PCT international search and examination
  • Coordination with local agents for entry into each target country

Stages of a PCT application

  1. Stage 1

    Filing

    File a single application with a receiving office.

  2. Stage 2

    Formal examination and international search

    In the international phase, the application undergoes formal examination and an international search.

  3. Stage 3

    International preliminary examination

    International preliminary examination may be requested.

  4. Stage 4

    National phase entry

    Enter the local procedure of each target country.

Get a quote
  • File online
  • Quote online
  • Track progress online

What to prepare

  • The title of the invention
  • A short description of the technical solution (the disclosure documents can be uploaded after signing in)
  • The number and filing date of the earlier application (if any)
  • The countries or regions you plan to enter

Fees and timing

Submit a quote request online; an agent assesses it and quotes. You pay only after confirming the quote.

The fee depends on the drafting and translation work for the application documents and on the countries or regions you plan to enter.

The time required is given together with the quote.

FAQs

Got questions? We’ve got answers.

These are general guidelines; official rules and case-specific assessments apply.

How does a PCT application differ from filing country by country?
Compared with filing country by country, a PCT application not only simplifies the procedure but also gives the applicant extra time to assess target markets, find partners and prepare to enter the local procedure of each country.
What happens in the international phase?
The application undergoes formal examination and an international search, and international preliminary examination may be requested. These steps give the applicant important reference information for judging the prospects and commercial value of the patent before entering the national phase in each country.
Which services do you provide?
Drafting and translation of the application documents, responses during the PCT international search and examination, and coordination with local agents for entry into each target country. Patent filings are handled through an affiliated patent agency.

Related services

Related countries and regions

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Notice: the services described on this page are carried out by locally licensed partner firms; J&C is your point of contact and coordinates and delivers the work. Fees shown are estimates; official fees are those actually charged by the office and the final quote is confirmed by an agent. Examination times are set by each office and the outcome depends on official examination; we make no promise as to results. By submitting an order you agree that the information needed for the work is shared with the relevant partner firm (which may be outside your country). This page is general information, not legal advice.

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