Following a legislative process spanning more than two decades, Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies yesterday approved the bill for the country’s accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Argentina originally signed the PCT in Washington, D.C., in 1970, and the Senate approved it in 1998. However, the legislative process remained incomplete due to pending approval by the Chamber of Deputies.
As the bill approved yesterday includes a reservation with respect to Chapter II of the Treaty, it must now return to the Senate for consideration. Once approved by both chambers, the bill must be formally enacted by the President, after which Argentina must deposit its instrument of accession with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Argentina is currently the only G20 country that is not part of the PCT system. With this latest development, the country is now on track to become the 160th contracting state.
The accession is part of Argentina’s broader international commitments undertaken recently under the free trade agreements with the United States and with the European Union.
Yesterday's approval marks a significant milestone toward the country’s integration into the global innovation and intellectual property ecosystem.
We are closely monitoring this matter and will keep you updated on any developments as they arise.
