International IP Filing
Extend your patent and trademark protection abroad through international systems that Thailand is a member of, without needing to file separately in each country yourself.
Choose the Filing System for Your Type of IP
The PCT System
Patent Cooperation Treaty — for patentsFile a single patent application designating multiple countries for protection at once, before entering the separate National Phase examination in each country later.
The Madrid Protocol
Madrid Protocol — for trademarksFile a single international trademark application based on your Thai application or registration, then designate the member countries where you want protection.
Approximate PCT Steps and Timeline
Counted from the base filing date (Priority Date) — summarized from WIPO information.
File the International Application
File through a receiving office, paying the filing fee and search fee
International Search Report
The International Searching Authority (ISA) issues a search report and preliminary opinion on novelty
Application Published
WIPO publishes the application publicly through the PATENTSCOPE system, along with the search report
Enter National Phase
National Phase entry deadline — choose destination countries, pay fees, and file translated documents
The month-9 and month-18 timings are general estimates; the actual time may vary by searching authority and the nature of the application. The 30-month deadline applies in most countries, but some countries set a different deadline — please check with our team for your target country.
What International Fees Are Involved
Summarized from the Department of Intellectual Property's notice on PCT fees — all paid in Swiss francs (CHF).
- International filing fee — paid to WIPO, varying by page count and number of claims
- International search fee — paid to the designated International Searching Authority (ISA)
- Transmittal fee — paid to the receiving office (the Department of Intellectual Property, if filing from Thailand)
- International preliminary examination fee (if requested) — only if you request additional International Preliminary Examination (Chapter II)
- National fees per country — arise upon entering the National Phase, varying by destination country
The exact figures vary with the number of countries designated, the number of claims, and the national fees of each destination country, so a fixed number can't be quoted here. Our team will assess your actual costs based on the list of countries you want to file in during the consultation.
Patent To You's service fee for coordinating international filing: contact us for a case-specific quote — separate from WIPO fees and the national fees of destination countries.
What a PCT Publication Cover Page Looks Like
When your application is published in month 18, you'll receive a WIPO cover page document with the following key information.
[A brief summary of the key aspects of the invention — describing its distinctive features, main components, and how the claimed work functions. Generally no more than 150 words.]
Illustration of an A4-size document layout for explanatory purposes only, not an actual document belonging to any client.
How International Filing Works With Us
We coordinate everything from your base application through to tracking results in each destination country.
Consult and Choose Target Countries
We assess your markets and which countries to protect
Prepare the Base Application
Using your Thai application or registration as the base reference
File Through the PCT/Madrid System
File the international application, designating your target countries
Track Results Per Country
We coordinate with local agents in each destination country
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to file in Thailand first?
Generally, both the PCT system and the Madrid Protocol use a Thai application or registration as the base reference for international filing, so you should have a Thai application or registration already, or file it at the same time.
How long until I get protection abroad?
Timeframes vary significantly by destination country and type of IP. The PCT system gives you an international window of about 30 months before you must enter national examination, while the actual examination time in each country depends on that country's own authority.
Do I need to hire an agent in each country myself?
Patent To You coordinates with our network of local agents in destination countries for you, so you don't need to contact or arrange an agent in each country yourself.
How many parts make up the PCT fee?
Mainly 5 parts: the international filing fee (paid to WIPO), the international search fee (paid to the ISA), the transmittal fee (paid to the receiving office), the international preliminary examination fee if requested, and the national fee for each country when entering the National Phase — see the costs section above for details.
If I file a PCT application, do I get a patent immediately in every designated country?
No. The PCT system is only a centralized filing and search mechanism — it isn't a patent grant itself. When the 30-month deadline arrives, you must enter the National Phase, meaning filing and passing examination separately in each destination country under that country's own law, before actually receiving a patent.
Does the Madrid Protocol cover every country worldwide?
No, it only covers countries that are members of the Madrid Protocol. If your target country isn't a member, you'll need to file directly with that country's own IP office instead. Our team will help check whether your country of interest is in the Madrid system.
Do I need to translate documents when entering the National Phase?
Generally, yes — into the official language of each destination country as required. Translation costs vary with document length and the language required; our team will estimate this cost together with your chosen target countries.
What date does the PCT's 30-month period count from?
It counts from the base filing date (Priority Date), which is generally the date you first filed a patent application in Thailand. This is the deadline used in most countries for entering the National Phase, but some countries set a different deadline — please check with our team for your target country.
Planning to expand protection abroad
Free consultation with our team to assess target countries and budget.