EPO to act as PCT authority for applicants from The Bahamas
As of 19 August 2026, nationals and residents of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas can use the EPO as their International Searching Authority and International preliminary Examining Authority under the PCT.
The Bahamas Intellectual Property Office (BAHIPO) has designated the EPO as a competent International Searching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
The designation applies to international applications filed as of 19 August 2026 by nationals or residents of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the date on which the PCT entered into force for the country. With that, the EPO can be selected as ISA and IPEA by nationals and residents of 154 out of the now 159 PCT Contracting States.
Benefits for applicants
The EPO’s international search report provides a solid basis for taking informed decisions on whether to enter the European phase and national phases before other offices. Once granted, a European patent can be validated in all 40 EPO member states and in six additional extension or validation states. As an alternative or in addition to validating the European patent in individual countries, the patent proprietor can request unitary effect, resulting in a Unitary Patent that provides uniform patent protection in 18 EU Member States.
