*2.3.2 International application*

• Convention Application

A convention application is filed for claiming a priority date based on the same or substantially similar application filed in any of the convention countries. The applicant is required to file an application in their national country Patent Office within a year from the date of the initial filing of a similar application in the convention country [5].

• PCT International Application

A PCT Application is an international application to streamline patent application process in all the member countries which are signatories to PCT with a

single PCT international application. It is governed by the Patent Corporation Treaty and can be validated in 152 member countries.

• PCT National Phase Application

A national phase application is filed in each of the country wherein the protection is sought. The national phase application must be filed within 31 months from the priority date or the international filing date, whichever is earlier [5].

**Myth**: PCT international application represent a universal or international patent.

**Fact**: A PCT application does not itself result in the grant of a patent and the grant of patent is a prerogative of each national or regional authority where the applicant decides to protect such invention.
