The world of business has gotten simultaneously bigger and smaller in recent years, and the advent of the Internet has been the primary force that’s led to this reality. As a result, companies now face greater opportunities than ever before, as their market reach is instantly worldwide in many situations. However, that’s also potentially a negative if such a reality is not acknowledged, as companies anywhere in the world can see what any other company is doing with the punching of a few key strokes on a computer.
As a result, many companies are looking to protect their new ideas with a patent not only in the United States, but also around the world. There is a way to accomplish this goal, but it is involved and will require the assistance of an experienced patent agency, such as InventHelp patent agency or a lawyer.
The acronym PCT stands for Patent Cooperation Treaty. The administration of this treaty is handled by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and anyone who’s sought a patent that reaches beyond the borders of the United States understands what these entities are all about, as they are integral in the international patenting process.
Although many would like to see it happen, there is no worldwide patent office that protects ideas in every market in the world. Instead, every country has its own patent process, and if someone wants to protect their ideas abroad, he or she needs to obtain patent protection in every country in which this protection is desired.
However, the PCT allows for those seeking a patent to file the appropriate documents with a valid national Receiving Office that works in accordance with the PCT such that these documents can be used and reviewed for every country in which the inventor seeks patent protection. Clearly, this saves time and cost, but there is a relatively intricate process involved with seeking international patent protection.
If you are considering obtaining international patent protection for your invention, you need to follow the specific steps set out by the PCT and the WIPO. Working with these entities can be advantageous, but it is also a highly technical process in which many mistakes can be made, any of which can result in having to start again at the beginning. So having a professional, such as InventHelp patent attorney is recommended.
