Patent Cooperation Treaty Legal Administration

Patent Cooperation Treaty Legal Administration services include:

(1) legal and policy guidance on issues under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), including PCT rulemaking, international search and examination guidelines, petitions and training;

(2) education programs for Patent Examining Corps professionals, technical support staff, members of the patent community, and users of PCT; and

(3) administrative oversight and coordinates the activities dealing with the international and national phase applications.

PCT Special Programs Branch

The function of the PCT Special Programs Branch is to educate and assist the patent community with respect to the Patent Cooperation Treaty by providing:

• training courses to help patent applicants and practitioners file PCT applications
• instruction to patent examiners at the USPTO concerning the search and examination of PCT applications.
• direct assistance regarding PCT applications via the PCT Help Desk

PCT Legal Affairs Branch

The PCT Legal Affairs Branch resolves legal issues relating to the Patent Cooperation Treaty which most often arise through petitions to the Commissioner in PCT international applications and in U.S. national stage applications submitted under 35 U.S.C. 371. This Branch:

• interprets and/or suggests changes to patent laws and rules and studies their effect on the Patent Cooperation Treaty
• deals with other aspects of international patent law such as harmonization, the Patent Law Treaty, and electronic filing.

See more information about the operation of the Office of PCT Legal Administration. This office is currently located within the Office of Patent Examination Policy.