PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) is a multilateral agreement concluded in Washington in 1970, which is related to cooperation between signatories in the area of patents.  International Bureau of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is competent for its enforcement.

PCT system is a system for filing patent application, not a system for granting patent. Patents can be granted only by national offices and regional patent organizations. 

PCT application is an application filed as per conditions prescribed by PCT with the reference to its rules. It is the first step towards obtaining patent in countries signatories to the PCT in national phase, or by the side of one of the regional patent organizations.

International application is filed to the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization as a recipient body in accordance with the provisions of the PCT.  In this procedure, additionally to the provisions of the PCT, also the provisions of Montenegrin Patent Law (Official Gazette of Montenegro, No. 66/2008) are applied, as well as relevant regulations passed under this Law. In case of conflict, the provisions of the PCT will prevail over the provisions of the Law and related regulations passed under the Law.