Managing Intellectual Property has once again distinguished PONS IP as the leading Spanish firm in PCT patent applications. In its December issue, the international magazine publishes the 2017 IP Stars PCT leaders report, based on data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The ranking is organized by country, featuring international IP firms with the most prolific activity in terms of PCT patent applications between 2014 and 2016. After having held the title for two consecutive years, our company is once again top filer in the ranking, which includes only five Spanish agencies.

MIP emphasises in its report the popularity that this type of international protection has acquired in recent times, as the number of applications has grown each year since 2001 -with the exception of 2009-. Specifically, 233,000 international patent applications were filed in 2016, a 7.3% increase versus the previous year. China, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United States are the countries in which most PCT patents are filed.

The PCT application is a formula for obtaining an international patent based on the Patent Cooperation Treaty. Its distinctive feature is that it ensures that its holders are protected in all Treaty countries -currently, 152- all through a single application and in one language. To process an application, WIPO conducts an international Technical Status Examination and then forwards the information to the appropriate national or regional intellectual property office for the final approval, which will be valid in all member countries.