Patents and Models

The acronym “PCT” stands for “Patent Cooperation Treaty”. It is a multilateral treaty and is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

The PCT allows protection to be sought by patent for an invention in many countries at the same time by filing an «International» patent application.

The application may be submitted by nationals or residents of the following Member States PCT Contracting States.

Although Argentina is not a PCT member, GATTI has proven experience in designing tailor-made strategies for Argentinean applicants so that they can also enjoy the benefits of this Treaty.

The PCT system is a system for filing patent applications, NOT a system for “granting” patents, since it does not provide for the granting of international patents, a task and responsibility that falls exclusively to the National Industrial Property Offices where protection is sought.

There is no “PCT patent”.

The PCT system provides for an international phase comprising:

• The filing of the international application (request).
• International search (patent technology report + written opinion).
• International publication, international preliminary examination and supplementary international search.
• A national phase at the designated offices.
• The decision to grant patents is taken exclusively by national or regional offices in the national phase.

The main objectives of the PCT are:

• Simplify simultaneous presentations.
• To make the procedure more efficient and cost-effective.