The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is a cost effective and efficient way to enter into the patenting process in many countries at one time. It offers several important benefits for applicants contemplating foreign filing. The main objective of the PCT is to simplify and to render more effective and economical in the interests of the users of the patent system and the offices that have responsibility for administering it.
Filing a PCT Application
The PCT applications may be filed either in an approved Receiving Office or directly at the International Bureau at the WIPO in Geneva. Normally, The PCT applications claim priority from an ordinary patent application, but they may also be filed direct. On filing a PCT application, applicants should appoint the countries in which they wish to retain the option to file a patent application. It is also possible to designate multi-country regional offices such as the ARIPO or EP (European Patent Organization).
Documents required for filing Patent Application:
• Power of Attorney: A Power of highly skilled and experienced Attorney shall be submitted for each application, and a General Power of Attorney will cover all future applications.
• Assignment where the applicant is not the same as that of the international application applicant or that of the Priority document, an assignment duly executed by the original applicant is required when entering the Chinese national phase.
