The National (or Regional) Phase
Protection during the international application phase: the PCT guarantees that the international application has the effect of a national (or regional) application.
Delaying effect: in normal circumstances, the national phase will not begin before the expiration of 30 months from the filing date or, if available, the priority date or 20 months for Contracting States where the 20-month time limit for PCT Chapter I is still valid. The applicant will then have the international search report and the international preliminary opinion in his possession. The applicant may ask for an earlier start of the proceedings or examination of the application.
Amendments: may be introduced during the international phase. They may also be introduced before any of the designated Offices with a time limit of a minimum of 1 month.
Utility models: where utility models are granted, the applicant has the right to adapt his application to the requirements of that law (normally within 2 months from the start of the national procedure).
Decisions made in the international phase reviewed by the designated Offices: the applicant may ask, within 2 months from the date of notification, that the following decisions be reviewed:
(a) the receiving Office has refused to accept an international filing date because of certain defects in the application;
(b) the receiving Office has declared that the international application is considered withdrawn because of certain defects in that application or because of non-payment of the prescribed fees;
(c) the International Bureau has declared the application to be considered withdrawn because it has not received the record copy within the prescribed time limit;
(d) the receiving Office has declared that the designation of any given State is considered withdraw.
Fees: national fees are to be paid to each designated Office not later than at the expiration of 30 months (31 and more months applicable for some Offices) from the priority date, and 20 months for Contracting States where the 20-month time limit (PCT Chapter I) is still valid.
Translation: before the expiration of 30 months or 20 months from the filing date or, if available, the priority date, translations of the application have to be filed, where necessary, at the national Patent Offices. If the claims have been amended, according to Article 19, translation of the original claim as well may be requested. If the scope of any granted patent exceeds that of the international application, as the result of an incorrect translation, the competent authorities of the Contracting States may limit the scope of the patent accordingly.
Representation: the national laws are applicable.