For the past 30 years, Matthew Bryan has played an integral role in the growth and innovation that has taken place at WIPO. Since he joined the organization as a young IP lawyer, it has grown from around 50 member states to 156! 

Matthew is the Director of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Legal and User Relations Division, heading up a 30-person strong team who hail from countries from Morocco to Japan. 

During this episode, he explains why the PCT process is a lot less complex than you may think, how his team dealt with the influx of applications they experienced during the pandemic, their approach to user relations outreach and information services, and his four wishes for the future of PCT. Matthew also provides some very valuable advice on how to maximize your benefit and minimize your chances of making mistakes during the PCT application process! 

In This Episode:

[01:07] Introducing today’s guest, the Director of the PCT Legal and User Relations Division at WIPO, Matthew Bryan.

[02:34] What Matthew loved about his first few years at WIPO.

[03:43] Matthew shares an overview of the work being done by his division and the people who make up his team.

[05:41] How the WIPO recruitment process works.  

[06:47] Examples of how the PCT process has evolved over the years and the implications of these changes for PCT applicants.

[11:41] The number of PCT applications filed in 2021 despite the pandemic, and how Matthew and his team handled them.  

[16:13] Some of the legal tasks associated with the PCT that Matthew and his team are responsible for.

[21:08] Matthew explains how you can access the strategic advice that is available to PCT users. 

[23:35] An overview of the user relations outreach and information services offered by PCT.

[27:20] How WIPO has grown since Matthew first joined the organization.

[30:24] PCT’s efforts to bring the 37 remaining UN member states into the organization. 

[34:58] What Matthew believes to be the biggest misconception that the public has around the PCT process.

[36:21] Reasons for the reduction in mistakes made by PCT applicants over the years, and some of the common mistakes that are still made.  

[39:21] Matthew’s advice for maximizing your benefit during the PCT process. 

[42:38] Four wishes that Matthew has for the future of PCT. 

Resources:

Wellspring 

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Matthew Bryan on LinkedIn

PCT Information Service Email Address