More than 200,000 international registrations are filed every year under the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty). This makes the PCT a unique instrument for protecting innovation. The PCT also generates more than three-quarters of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)'s income, making it of great significance not only for users but for the WIPO member states as well. Even though the PCT has shown an increase in registrations every year since it began in 1978 – with a single exception –, the times when two-digit growth was more or less the norm are now a thing of the past. Today, the PCT is exposed to various influences and must hold its ground – in addition to and together with – qualitatively high-ranking national and regional products. How has the PCT system developed in the past years? What are the challenges facing the PCT and will it be able to succeed in the long-term future as well? Where can and must something be undertaken so that users continue to view the PCT as a quality product? In addition to an overview of the latest developments of the PCT, Philippe Baechtold from the WIPO will discuss these and similar questions and, in particular, show what the WIPO is currently doing and planning to do in order to be armed for the future.

Registration and additional information (in German only)