PCT System

The Patent Cooperation Treaty makes it possible to seek
patent protection for an invention simultaneously in each of
a large number of countries by filing an "international" patent
application. Such an application may be filed by anyone who is
a national or resident of a contracting State.

It may generally be filed with the national patent office of the contracting
State of which the applicant is a national or resident or, at the applicant's
option, with the International Bureau of WIPO in Geneva.

Among all the contracting States, the applicant indicates those in which he
wishes his international application to have effect ("designated States").
The effect of the international application in each designated State is the
same as if a national patent application had been filed with the national
patent office of that State.

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