X-Ref PCT BOOK - What is it?

The 2025 edition of The Cross-Referenced Patent Cooperation Treaty compiled by Roel van Woudenberg and Cees Mulder is a 367-page A4 size book covering the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the Regulations under the PCT. 

The substantial number of references in the articles and rules makes the PCT difficult to read. The idea behind this book is to add cross-references to the articles and rules, thereby giving the reader a much better overview of the structure of the PCT and allowing the reader to navigate through the provisions of the PCT in an efficient manner.

Numerous references to the PCT Applicant's Guide are also included in the book, providing the reader with additional information.
Structure of the book

The Cross-Referenced PCT book is structured as follows:

1. The text of the Articles and Rules of the PCT is reproduced in its entirety.

2. References to Articles and Rules have been inserted in a column adjacent to the text of the PCT. To show which item in a sentence of the law the reference is related to, this part is highlighted in bold.

3. References have been inserted to related Articles and Rules at the beginning of each Article and Rule or, if appropriate, at the beginning of a subsection of an Article or Rule.

4. Summaries of the contents of the references are included helping the reader to quickly determine the relevance of the article or rule.​


The format of the X-Ref PCT book was concepted by Cees Mulder. The current book edition is based on his work and further developments together with Roel van Woudenberg.
Foto
Earlier editions of the X-Ref PCT
​The majority of the references in this book are to the PCT. However, because the European Patent Office (EPO) can act under the PCT as a receiving Office (rO), International Searching Authority (ISA), Supplementary International Searching Authority (SISA), International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) in the international phase and as a designated Office (dO) and elected Office (eO) in the regional phase:
  1. Links to the relevant provisions of the European Patent Convention are also included.
  2. References to the 2025 Guidelines for Examination in the EPO, to the 2025 Guidelines for Search and Examination at the EPO as PCT Authority and to the Rules Relating to Fees, in as far as relevant for the PCT, have been inserted into the relevant Articles and Rules of the PCT.

Annexes
  1. Overview of the proceedings under the PCT
  2. Main procedural steps of the PCT
  3. Overview of the actions and fees in the international phase
  4. List of PCT States, Paris Convention States and WTO Members
  5. List of the reservations and incompatibilities under the PCT
  6. Index to the PCT Articles and Rules
  7. Selection of Practical Advices as published in the PCT Newsletter