Can I obtain a regional patent through the PCT?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

Yes, it is possible to obtain a regional patent through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for certain regions. The MPEP specifically states:

An updated list of PCT Contracting States for which a regional patent can be obtained via the PCT is available from the WIPO’s website ( www.wipo.int/pct/en/texts/reg_des.html ).

This means that for some groups of countries, you can use the PCT application process to pursue a single patent that will be valid across multiple countries within a specific region. Examples of regional patent systems include the European Patent Office (EPO) and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO).

To see which PCT member states offer regional patent protection, visit the WIPO website’s list of regional patents available via PCT.