PCT Newsletter 01/2024: Practical Advice

WARNING: Although the information which follows was correct at the time of original publication in the PCT Newsletter, some information may no longer be applicable; for example, amendments may have been made to the PCT Regulations and Administrative Instructions, as well as to PCT Forms, since the PCT Newsletter concerned was published; changes to certain fees and references to certain publications may no longer be valid. Wherever there is a reference to a PCT Rule, please check carefully whether the Rule in force at the date of publication of the advice has since been amended.

Best practices for managing your WIPO Account

Q: My company is currently assessing our security policy and evaluating where improvements can be made. Could you please advise me on how I can ensure the security and accessibility of my PCT applications in ePCT?

A: Maintaining the security and accessibility of your PCT applications in ePCT is crucial. For security and confidentiality reasons a WIPO Account can only be created in the name of individuals (not entities), so that each action taken by a WIPO Account holder is traceable to an individual person. Please follow these best practices to safeguard your WIPO Account and ensure uninterrupted access to your international applications:

1. Keep your email address updated

Regularly update your email address within your WIPO Account. This email address serves multiple purposes, including for recovery of your username and password, receiving important ePCT notifications regarding the lifecycle of your PCT applications, staying informed about new releases, features and functionalities in ePCT and the availability of new webinars. Please note that each email address can only be associated with one WIPO Account.

2. Record a recovery email

It is important to set up a recovery email in case you lose access to the email address registered with your WIPO Account. This preemptive measure ensures that you can retrieve your username and/or password and regain control of your WIPO Account at all times. Visit WIPO's Learn More page for detailed information on recording a recovery email.

3. Use two strong authentication methods

In addition to your username and password, always set up at least two of our authentication methods for your WIPO Account. This ensures that you can log in securely to ePCT even if one authentication method becomes unavailable. Access our strong authentication page for more information, and make sure you maintain good security measures such as regularly updating your password and never sharing your password with others.

4. Have two eOwners for each application

Streamline access rights management by assigning at least two eOwners to each application in your workbench. This practice is particularly helpful if one eOwner leaves your company or is unable to access their WIPO Account, providing a smooth transfer of access rights to a new team member. Additionally, to enhance security further, regularly monitor who you have given access rights to and be sure to revoke access rights for those persons who have left your company.

5. Download your list of international applications as an Excel table

Download the list of all the international applications in your workbench and save it as an Excel table. This precautionary step ensures that you have access to this important information outside of ePCT. In the event of account access issues, having this data at hand is vital in case you need to request access rights again for your international applications. For detailed instructions, please refer to the ePCT video tutorial.

These best practices contribute to the overall security and efficiency of managing your WIPO Account. This information can be found in the ePCT video tutorial at:

https://multimedia.wipo.int/wipo/en/pct/epct-best-practice-wipo-account.mp4

For additional guidance on making changes to your WIPO Account, please consult our Change WIPO Account details page.