New PCT Rules Boost Patent Searches

As of 1 January, new Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) rules are strengthening international patent searches. The changes expand the minimum documentation available to examiners by adding 19 new national patent collections and gradually more in the future, while full-text patent applications are replacing image-only formats. This enables more precise, text-based searching and a deeper, more reliable assessment of prior art.

For applicants, these updates mean stronger, more comprehensive search reports, with prior art drawn from 38 current and historical collections across countries including Brazil, India, Poland, and Saudi Arabia. Broader coverage reduces the risk of discovering critical prior art later in expensive national or regional phases.

The impact goes beyond individual applications. By giving examiners access to richer global data, the PCT system helps prevent weak patents, supports stronger and more defensible rights, and enhances trust in patent offices worldwide. Many of the new collections are already available through WIPO’s PATENTSCOPE, increasing transparency and helping innovators build on existing knowledge.

For guidance on all things patent, contact our partner Adrian Esquivel at aesquivel@emps.es .