Q: What is the PCT? How to apply for the PCT?

A: The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), is an international co-operation treaty in the area of patents. The PCT focuses on the regulations of a patent filing, search, examination, and the rationale and cooperation in the transmission of technical information.

There are two phases of a PCT application: the international procedure and the national procedure. The international procedure includes filing an application, search, amendment, publication and preliminary examination. In national procedure, the national patent offices designated in the initial filing will deal with the PCT application based on their national patent laws. The patent will be approved if it meets the requirements. The PCT application may extend the time for an international application, simplify the filing and examination procedures, and provide conveniences for international patent applications. (Wang Yachuang)