Legal Definitions - PCT

Definition: PCT is an abbreviation for Patent Cooperation Treaty. It is an international agreement that allows inventors to apply for a patent in multiple countries at the same time.

Example: John is an inventor who wants to protect his invention in multiple countries. Instead of filing separate patent applications in each country, he can file a single PCT application. This will give him the option to enter the national phase in any of the countries that are members of the PCT.

Explanation: The example illustrates how PCT simplifies the process of obtaining a patent in multiple countries. By filing a single PCT application, inventors can save time and money. They can also delay the decision on which countries to enter the national phase until they have a better understanding of the commercial potential of their invention.