International patent applications

You can protect your invention in many countries using the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) having 144 contracting states. A PCT application must be filed with the World International Property Organisation (WIPO) and you will receive an international search report. National applications (or a regional application through EPO) must be filed in the countries you designate not later than 30 months from the filing date of the PCT application. The national patent offices or the EPO will examine your application in accordance with the search report made by WIPO.