PCT Patent
One of the ways to make international patent applications is the PCT patent applications based on the PCT patent cooperation treaty signed with the aim of accelerating patent applications and reducing costs in member countries organized by WIPO World Intellectual Property Office.
PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty)
With the PCT treaty signed by 148 countries as of October 2013, it is also a system that provides an advantage in terms of price, which allows patent applications to be made more easily in the offices of the party countries. One of the biggest benefits is that applications cannot be made before single countries. There are no obligations to hire an attorney and to translate according to the language of that country in national applications.
If desired, a preliminary examination report can be obtained and a patent can be requested from the relevant country office and the burden of the patent office related to this will be reduced.
PCT Procedures
The PCT application consists of 2 stages in general.
First stage
• Recording and filing the application
• Preparation of the research report
• Publication of the research report
Second Stage
• Preparation of the preliminary examination report
What is the Purpose of the Preliminary Examination Report?
The preliminary examination report examines and reports the new and industrial applicability of the patent application. The prepared report is forwarded to the country offices where protection is requested.
The documents required in the PCT application are forwarded to the International admissions office where the application is filed. The international admissions office reviews the application in terms of conditions and forwards a sample of the application to the International Research Authority within WIPO.
By preparing the research report, the International Research Authority determines all possible documents within the framework of the patent application in the literature. The report is forwarded to the applicant. At this stage, the applicant decides whether to request preliminary examination. After the 18 months have expired, the International Office publishes the patent application and research report.
National Stage (Country Entries)
After the publication stage, the national stage is proceeded. At this stage, the patent applicant grants the official patent attorney in all countries where he/she requests protection and requests patent rights according to the country patent legislation and according to the PCT application requirements and durations. After this stage, the legislation of the fully relevant country comes into play.
PCT patent system provides great advantages in filing and expenses and provides easier access to information.
PCT MEMBER STATES
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Canada
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Costa Rica
Ivory Coast
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Democratic People's Republic Of Korea
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Estonia
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran (Islamic Republic)
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Latvia
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Mali
Malta
Mauritania
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Republic of Moldova
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
And Saint Lucia
And Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Tajikistan
Thailand
Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia
Togo
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United Republic of Tanzania
United States of America
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Zambia
Zimbabwe