What is the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) designed to offer?

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is designed to provide a unified procedure for filing patent applications simultaneously in multiple countries. It allows inventors and companies to file one international application that can later be pursued in various PCT member countries. This reduces the complexity and cost associated with applying for patents in multiple jurisdictions.

The aspect of offering a "grace period" relates to allowing applicants to assess their invention’s commercial potential in different markets before incurring the expenses associated with filing national patent applications. This is critical because it gives inventors time to strategize about where they would like to seek patent protection, thus making informed decisions regarding their intellectual property.

The other options do not accurately describe the functions of the PCT. Immediate international patent approval is not provided, as the PCT application itself does not result in a granted patent. Worldwide patent enforcement services are not offered either; enforcement remains a matter for each individual country’s patent office after the PCT process. Lastly, while the PCT provides a more straightforward pathway for international applications, it does not simplify domestic patent systems, as the domestic patent processes still vary by country. The focus of the PCT is on facilitating international applications rather than changing domestic procedures.