Electronic Filing and Processing of International Applications

German Patent and Trade Mark Office to begin receiving and processing international applications using ePCT‑Filing

The German Patent and Trade Mark Office, in its capacity as receiving Office, has notified the International Bureau (IB) under PCT Rule 89bis.1(d), that, with effect from 1 July 2022, it will no longer accept international applications filed using the PCT‑SAFE software, and it will start accepting international applications filed using ePCT‑Filing.  The Office already accepts international applications filed using the DPMAdirektPro software and the EPO Online Filing software.  The applicable electronic filing fee reductions listed in item 4 of the Schedule of Fees are indicated in Fee Table I(a).

The amended notification containing the requirements and practices of the Office with regard to the filing of international applications in electronic form was published in the Official Notices (PCT Gazette) on 19 May 2022 at:

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

(Updating of PCT Applicant’s Guide, Annex C (DE))

Intellectual Property Office (United Kingdom) to begin receiving and processing international applications using ePCT‑Filing

The Intellectual Property Office¹ (United Kingdom), in its capacity as receiving Office, which already accepts international applications filed via the EPO Online Filing software, has notified the IB under PCT Rule 89bis.1(d), that, with effect from 1 July 2022, it will accept international applications filed using ePCT‑Filing.  The applicable electronic filing fee reductions listed in item 4 of the Schedule of Fees are indicated in Fee Table I(a).  It is recalled that, as from 1 July 2022, the Office will no longer accept international applications filed using the PCT‑SAFE software (PCT Newsletter No. 04/2022). 

The amendments to the notification containing the requirements and practices of the Office with regard to the filing of international applications in electronic form were published in the Official Notices (PCT Gazette) on 28 April 2022, at:

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

(Updating of PCT Applicant’s Guide, Annex C (GB))

State Office of Industrial Property (North Macedonia) to begin receiving and processing international applications in electronic form

The State Office of Industrial Property (North Macedonia), in its capacity as receiving Office, has notified the IB under PCT Rule 89bis.1(d), that, with effect from 15 July 2022, it will accept international applications filed in electronic form using ePCT‑Filing.  The applicable electronic filing fee reductions listed in item 4 of the Schedule of Fees are indicated in Fee Table I(a).

The notification containing the requirements and practices of the Office with regard to the filing of international applications in electronic form was published in the Official Notices (PCT Gazette) on 19 May 2022, at:

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

(Updating of PCT Applicant’s Guide, Annex C (MK))

Israel Patent Office to stop accepting international applications filed using PCT-SAFE

The Israel Patent Office (which already accepts international applications via ePCT-Filing) has notified the IB that, with effect from 1 July 2022, it will no longer accept international applications filed in electronic form using the PCT-SAFE software. 

(Updating of PCT Applicant’s Guide, Annex C (IL))

1. Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office.