IP INFORMATION
PCT
PCT International Filing
As an international treaty between multiple parties for promoting international filing through the unification and simplification of international filing procedures and overcoming disjunction between the patent system and economic reality, the PCT was joined by Korea in 1984.
The international service bureau with headquarters in Geneva has control over PCT international filing, and the PCT is a treaty that allows patent protection for a proper invention to be simultaneously obtained through a single filing from designated treaty nations (nations who have joined the treaty).
PCT Filing Method (PCT System)
One PCT application is filed at the patent office (receiving office) of one’s country of nationality or country of residence, and thereafter, by using a system in which one can enter the national phase of countries (designated (selected) countries) in which one desires to obtain patents within a set timeframe, one can receive recognition from the designated countries for the filing date being the filing date of the PCT international filing. However, in order to claim priority for first filing when filing an application, the claim of priority can be approved only when a PCT international application is filed within 12 months from the date of the first filing.