PCT Newsletter 02/2023: 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.

WIPO Pay – WIPO’s online payment platform

Q: I have recently started using the ePCT system for filing my PCT applications. I have noticed that the International Bureau has an online payment system called WIPO Pay. Can this be used for all PCT applications and what are the different payment methods available?

A: When filing PCT applications using ePCT, the payment methods that are available for paying the fees vary depending on the receiving Office with which you file the application. Fees must be paid to the receiving Office, and the preferred payment method specified by each receiving Office is displayed by default on the Fees screen in ePCT but can be modified in most cases.

The WIPO Pay platform is available only for filings with the International Bureau as receiving Office (RO/IB). In ePCT-Filing the default payment method for RO/IB is simply ‘Online payment’ and the different online payment options are available for selection in WIPO Pay at the time you pay the fees after filing.

How to pay fees to RO/IB using WIPO Pay

When you file an international application to RO/IB, you have the option to pay the fees immediately by clicking on the payment button at the end of the filing step, or by clicking on the payment link contained in the e-mail received as filing confirmation. There is also a dedicated Online Payment Action in ePCT that can be used post-filing. These options all direct you to the WIPO Pay platform to choose the actual payment method that you want to use, which can be one of the following:

  • Current Account at WIPO
  • Credit/Debit card
  • PayPal
  • Bank transfer
  • Bank payment online (secured by SOFORT)

For more detailed information on each of these payment methods, please refer to:

https://www3.wipo.int/epayweb/public/payment-methods.xhtml

There are many benefits to using the WIPO Pay platform as it allows you to view and manage all your payments to WIPO securely in one place. For an overview of the benefits please refer to:

https://www3.wipo.int/epayweb/public/index.xhtml

In addition to filing fees for PCT applications filed with the RO/IB, the only other PCT-related fee that can currently be paid via the WIPO Pay platform is the fee payable to the International Bureau for supplementary international search. At the time of processing requests for supplementary international search, the International Bureau will send to the e-mail address indicated in Form PCT/IB/375 an online payment link that directs you to WIPO Pay for online payment.

Other fees payable to the International Bureau, cannot currently be paid via WIPO Pay.

All the information you need regarding PCT fees and payment methods can be found at:

https://www.wipo.int/pct/en/fees/index.html