Patent Cooperation Treaty for private applicants

Summary:

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is a international application system that allows applicants to file a single patent application in English with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) for patent protection in multiple countries. The PCT system is designed to facilitate the process of obtaining patent protection in multiple countries while reducing the complexity and costs associated with multiple national filings. This booklet provides a basic introduction to the PCT system for private applicants, outlining the process and procedures for filing international patent applications under the PCT.

The booklet covers topics such as the benefits of the PCT system, the application process, fees, and the role of the IPO in the PCT process. It also provides information on the procedures for amending and withdrawing applications, as well as the consequences of non-payment of fees.

Please note that this summary is based on the provided document "Guidance Patent Cooperation Treaty for private applicants"" published by the Intellectual Property Office in January 2014