PCT Applicant's Guide - Volume I - Introduction to the International Phase

Nov 4, 2026

Uploaded by Callum

PCT Applicant's Guide, Volume I, provides practical orientation for applicants on the Patent Cooperation Treaty procedure, with emphasis on the “international phase.” It explains the structure of the Guide and its annexes, clarifies key terminology such as Articles, Rules, and Sections, and distinguishes the international phase from the national phase handled by designated or elected Offices. It also advises readers to consult official PCT texts for complete information and highlights the need for professional legal advice when filing is complex.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages202

Reading Time8 h 29 min

AccessFree to download

CHAPTER I: THIS PUBLICATION, ITS ANNEXES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ON THE PCT

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER II: WHAT IS THE PCT?

CHAPTER III: THE “INTERNATIONAL PHASE” AND THE “NATIONAL PHASE” OF THE PCT PROCEDURE

CHAPTER IV: USEFULNESS OF THE PCT FOR APPLICANTS

CHAPTER V: FILING AN INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION

CHAPTER VI: PROCESSING OF THE INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION BY THE RECEIVING OFFICE

CHAPTER VII: THE INTERNATIONAL SEARCH PROCEDURE

CHAPTER VIII: INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION, AMENDMENT OF CLAIMS, AND OTHER PROCESSING

CHAPTER IX: INTERNATIONAL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

CHAPTER X: MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE INTERNATIONAL PHASE

PCT Applicant's Guide Volume I: Introduction to the International Phase CHAPTER I: THIS PUBLICATION, ITS ANNEXES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ON THE PCT CHAPTER II: WHAT IS THE PCT? CHAPTER III: THE“INTERNATIONAL PHASE” AND THE “NATIONAL PHASE” OF THE PCT PROCEDURE CHAPTER IV: USEFULNESS OF THE PCT FOR APPLICANTS • REGIONAL PATENTS VIA THE PCT CHAPTER V: FILING AN INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION • GENERAL • THE REQUEST • THE DESCRIPTION • THE CLAIMS • THE DRAWINGS • THE ABSTRACT • OTHER FORMAL REQUIREMENTS • FEES CHAPTER VI: PROCESSING OF THE INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION BY THE RECEIVING OFFICE • GENERAL • INTERNATIONAL FILING DATE • TRANSLATION OF INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS • CORRECTION OF DEFECTS • RECORD COPY AND SEARCH COPY • CONFIRMATION OF “PRECAUTIONARY” DESIGNATIONS CHAPTER VII: THE INTERNATIONAL SEARCH PROCEDURE: PROCESSING OF THE INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION BY THE INTERNATIONAL SEARCHING AUTHORITY • GENERAL • NUCLEOTIDE AND/OR AMINO ACID SEQUENCE LISTINGS • LIMITATIONS ON INTERNATIONAL SEARCH • UNITY OF INVENTION • TITLE AND ABSTRACT • INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT CHAPTER VIII: INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION, AMENDMENT OF CLAIMS, AND OTHER PROCESSING OF THE INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION BY THE INTERNATIONAL BUREAU • GENERAL • AMENDMENT OF THE CLAIMS UNDER ARTICLE 19 • INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION • COMMUNICATION OF COPIES TO THE DESIGNATED OFFICES CHAPTER IX: INTERNATIONAL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION UNDER CHAPTER II OF THE PCT • GENERAL • MAKING A DEMAND FOR INTERNATIONAL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION • TRANSLATION OF INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF INTERNATIONAL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION • THE DEMAND • LATER ELECTIONS • FEES • PROCESSING OF THE DEMAND FOR INTERNATIONAL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION • THE INTERNATIONAL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION • THE INTERNATIONAL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION REPORT CHAPTER X: MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE INTERNATIONAL PHASE • REPRESENTATION BY AGENTS AND COMMON REPRESENTATIVES • CORRESPONDENCE TO THE APPLICANT • CHANGES CONCERNING THE APPLICANT, INVENTOR, AGENT OR COMMON REPRESENTATIVE • DEATH OF APPLICANT OR INVENTOR • APPLICANT/INVENTOR UNAVAILABLE OR UNWILLING TO SIGN THE INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION OR OTHER DOCUMENTS • RECTIFICATION OF OBVIOUS ERRORS • AMENDMENTS OF THE CLAIMS, DESCRIPTION AND DRAWINGS • WITHDRAWALS • COMPUTATION OF TIME LIMITS • IRREGULARITIES IN THE MAIL SERVICE • FILING OF LETTERS, DOCUMENTS AND PAPERS • CONFIDENTIALITY OF INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS • REFERENCES TO DEPOSITED BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL • REQUIREMENTS FOR SEQUENCE LISTINGS • EXTENSION OF INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS TO SUCCESSOR STATES OF FORMER CONTRACTING STATES • FILING OF REQUESTS IN PCT-EASY FORMAT CHAPTER I THIS PUBLICATION, ITS ANNEXES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ON THE PCT INTRODUCTION 1. The paper version of the Guide consists of two loose-leaf volumes. Volume I contains general information on the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) intended for those interested in filing international patent applications, in particular information on the “international phase” of the PCT procedure. The text of Volume I (which is published in two binders as Volume I/A and B) is supplemented by a number of Annexes containing more detailed information; whenever the word “Annex” followed by a capital letter is used in this publication, it is a reference to an Annex to Volume I. Volume II (which is published in four binders as Volume II/A, B, C and D) contains general information on the “national phase” of the PCT procedure, namely the procedure before the designated (or elected) Offices. A designated (or elected) Office is the national or regional Patent Office of or acting for a State party to the PCT (a “Contracting State”) that is designated (or elected) in an international application. Volume II also indicates the requirements to be complied with before each of these Offices. The

FAQs

What does Volume I of the PCT Applicant's Guide focus on?

Volume I provides general information for those preparing to file international patent applications, especially on the “international phase” of the PCT procedure.

How are “international phase” and “national phase” handled in the PCT procedure?

The “international phase” is handled under the PCT procedure, while the “national phase” takes place before designated (or elected) Offices, which are national or regional Patent Offices.

What should applicants do when the Guide’s information conflicts with official texts?

The official PCT texts and the Regulations under the PCT apply in the case of any inconsistency. The Guide condenses and interprets those longer official rules.

Nov 4, 2026

Uploaded by Callum