Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) National Stage Entry

Any company or individual who wishes to obtain international protection for a patent should consider the PCT process. Because, while it is true that a worldwide patent does not exist, the PCT is an affordable way to extend your protection across more than 130 countries, giving you more than two years to formulate your strategy for national filing.

Murgitroyd & Company's Role

Murgitroyd & Company’s IP Portal is designed to assist you from the moment you file your priority application. Once you have your national patent filed, obtaining international protection is as simple as telling us where and when you wish to file. From that point forward, we will:

• Consult with you about filing regulations and work with you to devise a plan
• Handle 100% of the drafting, filing and prosecution of your patents
• If necessary, coordinate with our outstanding network of international partners within your chosen jurisdictions
• Take care of all necessary searches, translations, illustrations and other formalities
• Bill you in your own currency and communicate with you in your language
• Give you 24/7 online access to your account to view application status

For more information please contact Jamie LeLiever by email at jamie.leliever@murgitroyd.com or by phone on +1 919 474 8300.

 

Here’s how it works: within 12 months of filing your priority application for a patent (the application in your home country), you file under the PCT process. At this point, you are in what is called the “international phase.” During this period, you are protected while you work on your strategy for individual national applications. You then enter the “national phase” — where you will apply for long-term protection in individual countries.