On 2 October 2019, Samoa deposited its instrument of accession to the PCT. Thus, it became the 153rd PCT Contracting State and on 2 January 2020, will become bound by the PCT.
Consequently, any international application filed on or after 2 January 2020 will automatically include the designation of Samoa. Also, because Samoa will be bound by Chapter II of the PCT, it will automatically be elected in any demand filed in respect of an international application filed on or after 2 January 2020.
Furthermore, nationals and residents of Samoa will be entitled, as from 2 January 2020, to file international applications under the PCT.
Note that Samoa has made a declaration that, pursuant to PCT Article 64(5), it does not consider itself bound by PCT Article 59. PCT Article 59 relates to disputes between two or more PCT Contracting States concerning the interpretation or application of the Patent Cooperation Treaty or PCT Regulations.
