Characteristics and Legislation
PCT International Patent
International Patent Register
INTERNATIONAL PATENT · PCT
In many countries, there is a system for applying for a patent through a standardised procedure. This is known as the INTERNATIONAL PATENT, more commonly referred to by the acronym PCT.
A patent application filed under the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) procedure does not, in itself, create an international patent, but rather constitutes an international application which offers the possibility of obtaining as many national patents as there are designations of States that are signatories to the PCT.
Advantages
on international patents
Up to 152 countries
It is possible to include up to 152 countries in a single application. (See list at the bottom of the page)
Priority for up to 31 months
Priority period of up to 30/31 months (national and European patents only have a 12-month priority period). During this time, the patent’s prospects can be assessed more accurately, both from a technical and a commercial perspective.
Technical report
This application involves the preparation of a STATE OF THE ART REPORT (a review of all prior patents and other documents), which offers the following additional benefits:
- In light of the report, the claims of our patent may be amended to avoid oppositions or issues with other patents.
- The report is valid for almost all national applications, so in many cases the cost is deducted from each national application; in some cases, this means that the total cost of the PCT application is recouped through these savings.
- Option to submit the application in Spanish (saving on translation costs).
- Simplified administrative procedure.
The documentation required is the same as for a Spanish patent.
Once the priority period has expired, it is necessary to proceed with regional applications (European Patent, Eurasian Patent, OAPI Patent, ARIPO Patent) or to apply for a national patent in all the countries to which you wish to extend protection.