WIPO Releases PCT Yearly Review 2026: International Patent Applications Continue to Grow, and Enterprises Should Plan Overseas Patent Strategies in Advance

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has released PCT Yearly Review 2026, compiling statistics and operational trends relating to international patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) in 2025. The review provides enterprises with an important reference for observing global patent filing activity, directions in technology protection, and overseas patent strategies.

The PCT System is one of the common and important routes used by enterprises when planning overseas patent protection. Through a PCT international application, applicants can use a single international filing procedure to preserve the possibility of seeking patent protection in multiple countries and gain additional time to evaluate markets, technological developments, commercial cooperation, and subsequent national phase strategies.

PCT International Patent Applications Continued to Grow in 2025

According to information published by WIPO, 275,900 PCT international patent applications were filed worldwide in 2025, representing an increase of 0.7% over the previous year and marking the second consecutive year of growth. This trend reflects the continued importance placed by enterprises and R&D institutions on cross-border technology protection and their use of the international patent system to retain opportunities for future market expansion.

By field of technology, digital communication, computer technology, and semiconductors remained important categories of PCT filing activity. For enterprises engaged in electronics, information and communications technology, semiconductors, AI, hardware and software integration, manufacturing technology, or the development of high-value-added products, overseas patent strategies are no longer required only by large enterprises. They are also increasingly becoming important competitive tools for small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and technology companies.

PCT Applications Help Enterprises Gain Time for Overseas Patent Strategies

During the early stages following the completion of technology research and development, enterprises may not yet have fully determined the future markets for product launch, cooperation partners, manufacturing bases, or licensing markets. Entering patent procedures in multiple countries directly at this stage may involve higher initial costs. However, failure to file in a timely manner may affect novelty, priority rights, or opportunities to obtain protection overseas.

The practical value of a PCT international application lies in helping enterprises first establish an international filing basis and subsequently decide whether to enter the national phase in each target country or region based on market developments, commercial value, competitive conditions, and budget arrangements.

Enterprises Should Consider Subsequent National Phase Costs and Timelines

A PCT application does not directly grant worldwide patent rights. Enterprises must still select the countries or regions in which they wish to enter the national phase within the applicable deadlines and complete the national phase procedures in accordance with the requirements of each jurisdiction. Therefore, before filing a PCT application, enterprises should also assess potential target markets, official fees in each country, translation costs, agent fees, examination procedures, and maintenance costs.

If an enterprise completes only the PCT international application without planning a subsequent national phase entry strategy in advance, it may face insufficient budgets, inadequate time for document preparation, uncertainty regarding target markets, or difficulty selecting filing jurisdictions as the applicable deadlines approach.

Recommendations for Intellectual Property Strategy

AIPT Group recommends that enterprises with overseas patent protection needs incorporate PCT applications into their overall research and development, product launch, licensing cooperation, and market expansion strategies and establish comprehensive timeline and budget plans before filing.

• Identify the Core of Technology Protection: Before filing, clarify the core technology, scope of product applications, and key aspects of the rights that may be claimed to avoid overly fragmented application content or an insufficient scope of protection.
• Evaluate Whether the PCT Route Is Appropriate: If an enterprise has not yet determined the countries it will enter or is still seeking investment or cooperation opportunities, the PCT may serve as a tool for deferring decisions while preserving flexibility for overseas patent strategies.
• Plan National Phase Entry in Advance: Select the countries or regions that may subsequently be entered based on sales markets, manufacturing bases, competitor locations, licensing partners, and infringement risks.
• Manage Deadlines and Budgets: National phase entry generally involves translation, official fees, local agents, and subsequent examination costs. Enterprises should establish budget schedules and deadline management mechanisms in advance.
• Integrate Business Strategy Considerations: Overseas patent strategies should not focus solely on the number of applications but should also align with product life cycles, technology value, competitive markets, and future licensing or investment needs.

Overseas Patent Strategies Should Begin During the Early Stages of R&D

As global technology competition continues to intensify, patents have become important assets for enterprises to protect R&D results, raise market barriers, support licensing negotiations, and attract investment and cooperation. Conducting patent searches, organizing technical disclosures, and evaluating overseas patent strategies during the early stages of R&D can help enterprises reduce subsequent remedial costs and enhance the protection and commercial value of their patent assets.

AIPT Group will continue to monitor developments in WIPO and national patent systems and assist enterprises with PCT international patent applications, overseas patent strategies, pre-filing searches, specification drafting, responses to office actions, national phase entry, and subsequent rights maintenance, helping clients establish a more comprehensive global technology protection framework.

Source: WIPO｜Patent Cooperation Treaty Yearly Review 2026