PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Iran

The Islamic Republic of Iran, located in the West Asian/Middle East region along the Persian Gulf, is characterized as an Islamic republic. It shares land borders with Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkmenistan to the north, while its eastern borders adjoin Pakistan and Afghanistan. To the west, Iran is bordered by Turkey and Iraq. Across the Persian Gulf, it faces Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Significantly, Iran became a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on October 4, 2013, indicating its participation in international efforts to streamline and facilitate patent procedures on a global scale.

The major requirements and procedure to file a patent application in Iran are mentioned below:

The designated period for submitting a patent application in the following nation under the framework of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is 31 months from the earliest date of priority.

In Iran, the official language for filing patent application is Farsi. This ensures accuracy and regulatory compliance, which make a seamless and trouble-free progression through the patenting procedures.

In this specific country, it is crucial to note that there is no provision for extending the timeframe for late entry into the national phase. Once the stipulated deadline has lapsed, there are no mechanisms in place to grant an extension. This underscores the importance of adhering strictly to the prescribed timelines for national phase entry

The essential documents required for filing a national phase application include:

• Power of Attorey: The submission requirements for the appointment of an agent, in cases where the applicant is not a resident of the Islamic Republic of Iran, include the provision of the original hard copy of the legalized and notarized Power of Attorney. This document serves as the formal instrument for delegating authority to the appointed agent.
• Translation: patent specification to be translated it Persian.

The reduction in the filing fee is exclusively applicable when the applicant qualifies as a natural person. This targeted benefit aims to provide cost relief to individual applicants, aligning with the acknowledgment of their unique status.

A patent will only be granted after it undergoes examination. This examination happens within six months of entering the national phase.

The obligation to pay annual fees arises two months prior to the first anniversary of entering the national phase and recurs annually thereafter. These fees are pivotal for maintaining the patent's validity. Non-compliance with the prescribed payment schedule within the specified time limit leads to the cessation of the patent's effect. It underscores the critical importance of timely financial obligations to sustain the patent's enforceability.

The patent term for patents in the mentioned jurisdiction spans 20 years, and notably, there is no provision for patent term extensions. This fixed duration underscores the regulatory framework's commitment to a standardized patent term without allowances for extension beyond the stipulated 20-year timeframe.

The Global Innovation Index (GII) meticulously evaluates the innovation capabilities of world economies through approximately 80 indicators, categorized into innovation inputs and outputs. In the GII 2022, Iran secures the 53rd position among the 132 featured economies, demonstrating its standing in the global innovation landscape. Within the subset of lower-middle-income group economies, Iran notably holds the 3rd rank among 36. Additionally, in the Central and Southern Asia region, Iran is positioned 2nd among the 10 economies assessed.

An encouraging trend is observed as Iran has advanced in the GII rankings, moving from the 60th position in 2021 to the 53rd position in 2022. This progression signifies the country's ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and its positive trajectory in the international innovation landscape.