PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Cuba

Cuba has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since November 17, 1904. It became a Contracting Party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on July 16, 1996. Additionally, Cuba is a member of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for Patent Procedure and the Patent Law Treaty (PLT).

A national phase application in Cuba must be filed within 30 months from the priority date of the international PCT application.

A Spanish translation of the description, claims, abstract, and any text in the drawings must be provided if the PCT application was not filed in Spanish, when entering the national phase in Cuba. The translation should be submitted within 30 months from the priority date. If not provided within this period, the Cuban Office will allow an additional 60 days for compliance.

No general extension is available for filing late patent application in Cuba.

Power of Attorney: A power of attorney, signed by the applicant, is required when entering the national phase in Cuba under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Legalization or notarization is not necessary for this power of attorney.

Assignment Deed: If the applicant has obtained the right to file the international application through one or more entities other than the inventor, an assignment deed demonstrating the link between the inventor and the applicant must be submitted.

Fees are reduced by 40% if the applicant is an individual or a public university. Additionally, annual fees from the third year onward are reduced by 50% for applicants who are individuals or public universities.

The substantive examination begins automatically after filing. No separate request or fee is needed in Cuba.

Annual renewal fees, must be paid to keep a patent application or granted patent in force in Cuba. These fees are due on the anniversary of the filing date and must be paid before the start of each subsequent year of validity.

In Cuba, a patent is issued for a term of 20 years starting from the application date.

The 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII) does not provide a specific innovation index score for Cuba but ranks the innovation performance of various economies, including Cuba. The GII offers a thorough evaluation of a country's innovation potential, taking into account factors such as education, infrastructure, and knowledge creation.

Cuba’s socialist economy, which is slowly transitioning to embrace private business and foreign investment, plays a key role in its development. The country’s history, particularly the Cuban Revolution and its complex relationship with the United States, significantly influences its identity and political dynamics. Key aspects shaping the nation include its robust healthcare and education systems, cultural richness, and the growing significance of sectors like tourism and medical diplomacy. The 1959 Cuban Revolution marked a turning point, bringing about profound social and political transformations that continue to shape Cuban culture and its international presence.