PCT Newsletter 08/2004: 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.
Filing international applications using the PCT-SAFE software: the filing of "dummy" applications
Q: I am the agent for a corporation which has been filing the request part of international applications for a number of years using the PCT-EASY software. We plan to file our international applications in their entirety electronically, using the PCT-SAFE software, as soon as our usual receiving Office has announced that it will accept such filings. Is it possible to prepare some "dummy" applications first so that we can get used to the system well before we actually start using it for filing "real" applications?
A: You can file "dummy" applications in the "demo" mode of the PCT-SAFE software, and indeed, it is strongly recommended to do so. By doing this, you will be able to try the software out and thus be familiar with it once your receiving Office announces that it has started accepting international applications filed electronically using PCT-SAFE. This will reduce the risk of making any mistakes when you start filing real PCT applications electronically.
WIPO has set up a PCT-SAFE "demo environment" so that PCT users can practice and familiarize themselves with the PCT-SAFE system, filing to the demo server of the International Bureau in its capacity as receiving Office (RO/IB). The PCT-SAFE software gives you the opportunity to select whether the filing is being done in "demo mode" or, if it is a real filing, in "production mode." If the demo mode has been selected, the application will be filed to a "demo server" and a demo receipt will be issued by WIPO confirming that the demo filing has been successfully completed. Note that applications filed in the demo environment must not contain any confidential or sensitive data.
To submit an international application (demo or real) on-line, you will need a digital certificate which can be obtained, free-of-charge, from WIPO via a simple on-line enrollment procedure through the PCT-SAFE website (www.wipo.int/pct-safe/en/certificates.htm). It is used by the system in digitally signing the international application and in creating a secure connection with the receiving Office for the transmission of the international application package.
To familiarize yourself with the use of different filing formats, it is recommended that you practice filing demo applications in a non-character coded format, for example in PDF format, as well as in a character coded format, that is, XML format. This is important since some receiving Offices which accept international applications filed fully electronically will only accept applications in certain formats. For example, the Japan Patent Office will only accept the application in character coded format. The PCT-SAFE system includes the PCT-SAFE Editor software which allows users to create their applications in XML format; no prior knowledge of XML is required. This software is also free of charge.
For further information on the use of the PCT-SAFE software, see the PCT-SAFE website at: www.wipo.int/pct-safe/en/index.htm
in particular the "support to PCT-SAFE users" at:
www.wipo.int/pct-safe/en/support/index.htm
and "frequently asked questions" at:
www.wipo.int/pct-safe/en/support/help/faq.htm
You can also send your questions to the PCT-SAFE Help Desk at:
Another very useful source of information, which has been written by a PCT user, Carl Oppedahl, is entitled "How to e-file a "demo" PCT application with the RO/IB". This article is available on the Internet at:
but can also be accessed from the PCT-SAFE website under "E-filing website and discussion groupby PCT users."
Note that even though your usual receiving Office is not yet ready to accept international applications in electronic form, a national or resident of any PCT Contracting State can file an international application electronically with the RO/IB as receiving Office (see PCT Newsletter No. 02/2004, cover page). General information on the filing of international applications with the RO/IB is available at: