INTRODUCTION [R-07.2022]

This chapter is designed to be a guide for patent examiners in searching and examining applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Applicants desiring additional information for filing international applications should obtain a copy of the PCT Applicant’s Guide from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Articles and Regulations under the PCT are reproduced in Appendix T of this Manual and the Administrative Instructions are reproduced in Appendix AI of this Manual. The text of the PCT Applicant’s Guide, the monthly PCT Newsletter, the weekly PCT Gazette, downloadable PCT forms, and additional information about the processing of international applications are available from WIPO’s website (www.wipo.int).

PCT applications are processed by the Office of PCT Operations within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.