What is the PCT international patent inquiry process?

PCT international patent inquiry process, PCT application is divided into international stage and national stage, among which the most important procedure in the international stage is international retrieval. So what is the PCT international patent inquiry process? PCT international patent inquiry process PCT international patent inquiry process: 1. Submitting international applications Generally speaking, PCT applications should be submitted to the National Bureau as the PCT acceptance bureau. When applying for a PCT patent, the applicant must state in which member countries the application is valid. These designated countries are called designated countries. China National Intellectual Property Administration, China, as the designated acceptance bureau of PCT, only accepts international applications submitted by citizens or residents of China. When there are multiple applicants for an international application, at least one applicant's nationality or residence is China. 2. International retrieval is a closed process, except for single or obviously wrong questions, there is no communication between the applicant and the retrieval unit. 9 months from the priority date, or 3 months from the retrieval unit receiving the retrieval book, whichever is later, the retrieval unit will make a retrieval report or announce that it will not make a retrieval report in some cases. The retrieval report or announcement will be transmitted to the International Bureau and the applicant. 3. International Publication At the expiration of 18 months from the priority date, the International Bureau will publish the international application internationally, including pamphlets and bulletins. Publishing forms include paper and electronic parts. 4. International Preliminary Examination The Patent Cooperation Treaty stipulates that the international preliminary examination procedure is not mandatory. The international preliminary examination only puts forward preliminary opinions on whether the invention is novel, creative and practical, and its examination opinions are not binding on the designated countries. 5. After the designated country completes the international phase, the international patent application enters the national (or regional) phase after the applicant initiates the application.