How does the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) affect international patent applications?
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) significantly impacts international patent applications. According to MPEP 213.01:
International applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) are considered to have been filed in any PCT contracting state of which the United States is one.
This means that a PCT application effectively serves as a placeholder for potential national phase entries in all PCT member countries. It provides applicants with additional time to decide in which countries they want to pursue patent protection, while securing an early filing date.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 200 - Types and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure