You’ve developed a breakthrough innovation, and your patent is filed in India. But what if your market extends beyond borders? How do you protect your invention in the US, Europe, or other countries without filing separate patents everywhere? The answer lies in the PCT—Patent Cooperation Treaty. In this blog, we’ll explain what the PCT system is, how it works, and how Indian inventors—students, researchers, and startups—can use it to secure global patent protection cost-effectively. ⸻ 🌍 What Is the PCT? The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is an international agreement administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It allows inventors to file one international patent application, which is recognized by over 150+ countries. 👉 Instead of filing separate applications in every country, you file one PCT application and later decide in which countries you want to proceed with national phase filings. ⸻ 🧠 Why Consider PCT Filing? ✅ 1. Global Reach with a Single Application With one filing, you can seek protection in all PCT member countries—including the US, Europe, Japan, China, Australia, and more. ✅ 2. More Time to Decide After your PCT application, you get up to 30/31 months from the earliest filing date to enter the national phases. This gives you time to: • Assess commercial viability • Secure funding or partnerships • Choose strategic markets ✅ 3. International Search Report (ISR) You receive a search report with references to prior art, helping you evaluate patentability early in the process. ✅ 4. Greater Investor Confidence International protection adds credibility to your IP portfolio and makes your business more appealing to global investors or licensees. ⸻ 📜 How Does the PCT Process Work? 1. File a Patent Application in India (called the priority application). 2. Within 12 months, file a PCT application claiming priority from the Indian application. 3. WIPO will assign an International Searching Authority (ISA) to perform a prior art search. 4. You receive an International Search Report (ISR) and a Written Opinion of patentability. 5. You can optionally request an International Preliminary Examination (for further clarity). 6. Before 30/31 months from the priority date, you choose the countries where you want to proceed (called national phase entry). 7. Each country examines your patent application under its own rules and grants protection accordingly. ⸻ 📌 When Should Indian Innovators File a PCT Application? PCT filing is ideal when: • You believe your invention has global market potential • You are planning international expansion • You want more time to analyze markets or attract funding • You need IP coverage in multiple countries, but cannot afford to file them all immediately ⸻ 💡 Real-World Scenarios Where PCT Filing Is Useful • A med-tech startup in India developing a wearable health device wants to launch in Europe and the US. • A university research team creates a patentable biotechnology process and wants global licensing opportunities. • An AI company wants to attract foreign investors by showcasing its international patent coverage. ⸻ 🤝 How IP EVER LLP Helps You Go Global We offer complete PCT filing support for academic institutions, startups, and innovators, including: • Strategy planning and priority filing • Drafting PCT applications to meet international standards • Managing timelines and documentation • Guiding national phase entries in targeted countries • Assisting with ISR interpretation and prosecution follow-up With our experience handling 300+ patent filings and a 100% grant success rate for examined patents, we ensure your innovation gets the protection it deserves—worldwide. ⸻ 📞 Ready to Take Your Innovation Global? Let IP EVER LLP guide you through the PCT process with clarity and confidence. 📧 Email: drabganesh@gmail.com 📞 Call: 9842791925 🌐 Visit: www.goipever.com ⸻ Your idea knows no boundaries—your patent shouldn’t either. File globally with confidence through the PCT.