After you have make your invention, you want to ensure to protect your patent rights by securing your invention through the patent process. With the scope of IP increasing over the time, the inventors have realized how important it has become to secure invention. Having said that, the inventors can now secure their inventions in multiple countries by filing a single international patent application in accordance with the PCT (Patent Corporation Treaty). So, if you are looking forward to protect your innovation, here’s everything you need to know about Patent Corporation Treaty.
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What is Patent Corporation Treaty?
The Patent Corporation Treaty (PCT) is an intellectual Property agreement that protects patents in multiple countries through a single application. PCT has more than 150 nations that have come together to agree to this treaty. WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) has been monitoring this treaty since its inception in 1970.
Filing patent application under the PCT means that you get to protect your patent in around 151 countries at once. Major global corporation secure patent protection through PCT.
What are the Advantages of Patent Corporation Treaty?
PCT has simplified the process. Instead of filing separate patent application, the inventor can simply file one patent application to secure patent protection in several countries. Take a look at the benefits of the PCT.
PCT helps in securing Patent Protection Internationally
PCT helps in securing your patent protection internationally. So, if you wish to enter international market, PCT can help you in securing patent rights in several countries at once. For instance, if you file a patent application with USPTO, the patent protection rights will stay limited to the United States only.
Ease of Application Process
Every jurisdiction has different rules and regulations when it comes to filing patent application. Filing separate patent application in the PCT contracting states will be time-consuming and an arduous task. The applicant will have to amend the patent application in accordance with the rules and regulation. PCT has simplified the process. It is a time-saving and money-saving process.
Patent Report
Once an applicant files a patent application under PCT – the monitoring organization – WIPO sends a global patent search report. It helps you understand how patentable your invention is around the world. This could help you in making a strong decision about your invention. You can assess the information to the best of your knowledge.
For instance, if an invention is found to be unpatentable. the applicant can withdraw the application, thereby reducing the further cost.
Disadvantages of Patent Corporation Treaty
Along with benefits of PCT, the cons of the PCT have also surfaced. The Patent Corporation Treaty has certain disadvantages as well. Some of the major limitations of PCT are:
Costlier Process
Filing patent application under the PCT makes it a costlier process. The applicant needs to prosecute application in each country.
Only Utility Patents are Covered
Filing patent application under PCT is restricted to utility patent applications. If you are filing for the utility patent, you can file a patent application under this treaty. On the other hand, if you wish to secure the design of your invention, PCT does not cover design patent application.
Delayed Process
Your patent application does not move quickly when you file patent application under PCT. It takes a lot of time to secure patent protection when you chose the route of PCT.
Things To Take Care under PCT filing
There are certain things you must do to ensure that everything goes smoothly when you choose to file application under PCT.
- Since the patent law varies around the globe, PCT filing ensures a simplified process to get away with the differences in various rules and regulation of the countries. On the other hand, if you plan to file patent application with difference countries individually, you need to get familiar with the rules and regulations of the respective nations.
- It is always a good idea to hire an experienced legal attorney. At some of your application, you may find things getting little complicated. You may want to have legal help with that. Thus, you must ensure to hire an attorney. Filing patent application under PCT involves a lot of expense. You definitely don’t want things to go south.
Hire PDC for PCT Patent Application Filing
PCT patent application filing is majorly opted by global corporations to secure patent protection around the globe. Instead of filing different patent application for patent protection, they can file patent application under PCT.
So, if you are looking forward to hiring experienced patent attorneys to help you out filing patent application under Patent Corporation Treaty, Patent Drafting Catalyst can help you with that. We have a team of experienced patent attorneys who holds years of experience in International patent filing at an affordable price. To know more about us or our services, get in touch with us.
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