International route

Applicants seeking worldwide patent protection may use the services of the EPO under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). PCT applications may be filed, searched and examined at the EPO.

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Euro-PCT Guide

A guide for applicants interested in filing an international patent application with the EPO as a receiving office. It also covers procedures before the EPO as an international authority under the PCT and gives information about entry into the European phase.

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Entry into the European phase

Find out what steps to take to enter the European phase and get further information on Euro-PCT applications

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Accelerating your application

Learn how to accelerate prosecution of your Euro-PCT application and save up to 30 months.

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EPO decisions and notices

A collection of links to important decisions and notices from the EPO related to the PCT procedure.

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Filing options

International applications can be filed with the EPO as receiving office

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PCT resources

Links to legal provisions and other resources, including forms, made available by the World Intellectual Property Organization

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PCT fees

Information on fees for the PCT procedure.

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Extension/validation request

At the request of the applicant, international patent applications entering the European phase may be extended to or validated in third countries for which an extension or validation agreement has entered into force.

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See also

CNIPA-EPO Pilot on ISA files

As of 1 December 2020, nationals or residents of P.R. China will be able to select the EPO as their International Searching Authority (ISA) and as their International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA).

FAQ – CNIPA-EPO pilot for ISA filesRecorded online seminar

Related documents

The EPO as PCT Authority

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The EPO as Supplementary International Searching Authority

English Japanese Chinese

Useful links

For more information about the PCT, please visit the WIPO website.

WIPO