Legal analysis: PCT is the abbreviation of Patent Cooperation Treaty. As can be seen from the name, the Patent Cooperation Treaty is an international cooperation treaty in the patent field. Since the adoption of the Paris Convention, it is considered the most meaningful sign of progress for international cooperation in this field. However, it is primarily a treaty concerning cooperation and reasonableness in the filing, search and examination of patent applications and the dissemination of technical information contained therein. The PCT does not "grant international patents": the task and responsibility for granting patents remains solely in the hands of the patent offices of the respective countries seeking patent protection or the institutions exercising their powers. The PCT does not compete with the Paris Convention but in fact complements it. Indeed, it is a special agreement under the Paris Convention open only to Paris Convention members.
Legal basis: Article 1 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty Establishment of a Union
(1) The countries participating in this treaty (hereinafter referred to as the contracting countries) form a union to apply for protection of inventions Cooperate with the submission, search and examination, and provide special technical services. This alliance is called the International Patent Cooperation Alliance.
(2) No provision of this Treaty shall be interpreted to prejudice the rights of any national or resident of a party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property in accordance with that Convention.