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The different options available for furnishing priority documents

Q: I am going to file an international application claiming priority from two earlier applications, one filed in the United States of America and one filed in Canada. I have the choice of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or the International Bureau (IB) as receiving Office (RO). How does my choice of RO affect the options available to me for meeting the requirement to furnish copies of the priority documents? Are there any special considerations that I should take into account?

A: There are basically three ways of meeting the priority document requirements:

1. Send a conventional certified copy of the earlier application to either the RO or the IB. This option is always available. (PCT Rule 17.1(a))

2. Request the RO to prepare and transmit a certified copy of the earlier application to the IB. This option is available if the Office where the earlier application was filed is also acting as RO. (PCT Rule 17.1(b))

3. Request the IB to retrieve a copy of the earlier application from a digital library.