How your PCT application is processed

Here is information on what happens with your PCT application once you have filed it with PRV.

An international application, a so-called PCT application is processed in one or two steps – phase I and phase II where each step is concluded with a report that is sent to you. Both are included in the international phase.

PRV can function as the receiving PCT authority (Receiving Office, RO), the examining authority (International Searching Authority, ISA) and the examining authority (International Preliminary Examining Authority, IPEA). Accordingly, PRV can take care of your application during the entire international phase except the publication of the application, which is done by the international agency.

Click on the links below to reach about what happens with your application from when you file it until you receive a decision.

Examination phase – phase I

Once you have filed an international application, PRV begins the technical examination work. This work is divided into two phases: the examination phase (phase I) and the assessment phase (phase II).

Assessment phase – phase II

If, after the novelty examination, you are still uncertain whether your application can lead to a patent, or if you want to make changes to the application, you can continue to phase II, the assessment phase.

The Swedish Patent and Registration Office