Guidance

Patent Cooperation Treaty for private applicants

Basic introduction for private applicants on filing international patent applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

• From: Intellectual Property Office
• Published: 1 January 2014
• Last updated: 1 April 2024 — See all updates

Documents

Patent Cooperation Treaty for private applicants

PDF, 828 KB, 35 pages

Details

The PCT system allows applicants seeking patent protection, in a number of countries, to file a single international application in English with the Intellectual Property Office.

Published 1 January 2014
Last updated 1 April 2024 + show all updates

1. 1 April 2024

   PCT Private Applicants Booklet with new fees updated.

2. 1 January 2024

   PCT Private Applicants Booklet with new fees updated.

3. 1 January 2023

   Private applicant booklet with revised fees updated.

4. 1 September 2022

   Private applicant booklet updated and in effect from today 1 September 2022 added.

5. 1 January 2022

   Private applicant booklet with revised fees updated.

6. 1 June 2021

   Private applicant booklet updated and in effect from today 1 June 2021.

7. 1 May 2021

   PCT Fee changes take effect 1 May 2021.

8. 1 January 2021

   Private applicant booklet updated and in effect from today 1 January 2021.

9. 1 July 2020

   PCT Fee changes take effect 1 July 2020.

10. 1 May 2020

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 May 2020.

11. 1 January 2020

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 January 2020.

12. 1 November 2019

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 November 2019.

13. 1 January 2019

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 January 2019.

14. 6 April 2018

    Patent Cooperation Treaty for private applicants updated.

15. 1 April 2018

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 April 2018.

16. 1 January 2018

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 January 2018.

17. 1 January 2017

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 January 2017.

18. 1 November 2016

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 November 2016.

19. 1 July 2016

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 July 2016.

20. 1 January 2016

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 January 2016.

21. 1 November 2015

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 November 2015.

22. 1 June 2015

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 June 2015.

23. 1 April 2015

    PCT Fee changes take effect 1 April 2015.

24. 1 October 2014

    Updated document published to show new PCT fees for 1 October 2014.

25. 1 January 2014

    First published.