Definition
A PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) application is a single international filing that preserves the right to seek patents in over 150 member countries before deciding where to pursue protection.
Why It Matters Legally
A PCT filing buys time, usually up to 30 months, to evaluate markets and costs before committing to expensive country-by-country filings. It is the standard route for inventors seeking global protection.
Example Use Case
A company files a PCT application to keep its options open, then enters the national phase in the US, Europe, and Japan 30 months later.
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Related Terms
National Phase, Priority Date, Patent Application, Filing Date