An international patent application (also called a PCT application) has two phases: The first phase is the international phase in which patent protection is pending under a single patent application filed with the patent office of a contracting state of the PCT. The second phase is the national and regional phase which follows the international phase in which rights are continued by filing necessary documents with the patent offices of separate contracting states of the PCT.

Eighteen months after the filing date or the priority date if any, the international application is published by the International Bureau (IB) of WIPO, the World Intellectual Property Organization, an agency of the United Nations. The Patent Cooperaton Treaty (PCT) plaques reproduce in exacting detail the front page of the PCT application as it is published by WIPO.

PCT plaques are available in four sizes (6"X8", 9"X12", 10.5"X13" and 12"X15"), three bases (solid walnut, high gloss cherry and high gloss onyx), and two metal plate colors (gold and silver). Optional trim (border) plates in black and maroon are available for the 9"X12", 10.5"X13", and 12"X15" plaques. All plaque bases are drilled for wall mounting or can be mounted on a plaque stand.