What are the basic requirements for an international patent application according to PCT Article 3(4)?

MPEP 1812 outlines the basic requirements for an international patent application as specified in PCT Article 3(4). These requirements are:

1. The application must be in a prescribed language
2. It must comply with the prescribed physical requirements
3. It must comply with the prescribed requirement of unity of invention
4. It must be subject to the payment of the prescribed fees

The MPEP quotes PCT Article 3(4) as follows:

“The international application shall: (i) be in a prescribed language; (ii) comply with the prescribed physical requirements; (iii) comply with the prescribed requirement of unity of invention; (iv) be subject to the payment of the prescribed fees.“

These requirements ensure that international patent applications are standardized, complete, and properly processed within the PCT system.

To learn more:

• International Patent Application
• PCT
• Application Requirements
• PCT Article 3