What is a PCT patent application?
A PCT application is an international patent application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. It provides a centralized route for beginning the process of seeking patent protection in multiple countries. The international phase generally gives applicants more time before they must proceed with separate national or regional filings.
Does a PCT application protect my invention worldwide?
No. There is no single worldwide patent. A PCT application provides a route to pursue protection in participating countries, but patents are ultimately examined and granted by national or regional patent offices.
How much does Patentext charge for a PCT application?
Patentext charges a flat $5,700 professional fee for its standard PCT application service. An annual platform subscription, starting at $2,700, is also required. PCT filing and search fees are additional, as are any separately engaged national-phase services.
When must a PCT application be filed?
If you're claiming priority to an earlier patent application, the PCT filing is generally due within 12 months of that application's filing date. Deadlines can affect your ability to claim the earlier filing date, so provide your filing history to the practitioner as early as possible.
When do we need to choose which countries to file in?
National or regional phase entry is generally required around 30 months from the earliest claimed priority date, although specific deadlines vary.
The PCT process gives your company time to evaluate international markets before committing to the cost of separate filings.
Where does Patentext file PCT applications?
Patentext currently files through the USPTO as the U.S. Receiving Office and selects the USPTO as International Searching Authority.
This service is generally available when at least one applicant is a U.S. national or resident. Eligibility and filing requirements are reviewed before the engagement proceeds.
Can Patentext file a PCT application based on a provisional prepared elsewhere?
Yes. Patentext can work from an existing application prepared by another patent practitioner. Your assigned patent agent reviews the prior filing and supporting technical information before confirming the scope of the PCT engagement.
What is the international search report?
The international search report identifies published documents the International Searching Authority considers relevant to the claimed invention.
An accompanying written opinion provides a preliminary assessment of patentability. These findings can help inform subsequent filing decisions, but they don't determine whether a patent will ultimately be granted.
Does Patentext respond to the international search report?
Practitioner review of the international search report and written opinion is included in the standard PCT engagement.
Amendments, demands for international preliminary examination and other additional prosecution work are separately scoped and priced.
Does Patentext handle national-phase applications?
Patentext can help coordinate national or regional phase entry through qualified foreign associates under a separate engagement.
The scope depends on the countries selected. Local practitioner fees, translations, government charges, and prosecution costs are not included in the standard PCT filing service.
Can we keep working with our existing patent counsel?
Yes. Patentext can handle the PCT engagement while your existing counsel remains involved in other aspects of your patent portfolio. Responsibilities for future international or national-phase work should be agreed upon before those engagements begin.
