Regulations under the PCT - WIPO

1 Regulations under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (as in force from July 1, 2017) Regulations under the PCT (as in force from July 1, 2017) 2 Editor s Note: For details concerning amendments to the Regulations under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, and for access to decisions of the Assembly of the International Patent Cooperation Union (PCT Assembly) concerning their entry into force and transitional arrangements, reference should be made to the relevant reports of the PCT Assembly available from the International Bureau or via the WIPO website at: In the present Regulations , the deletion of a provision of the text previously in force is indicated only in those cases where it is necessary in order to avoid gaps in the numbering system.

2 Regulations under the PCT (as in force from July 1, 2017) 3 Regulations under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (as in force from July 1, 2017)* TABLE OF CONTENTS** Part A: Introductory Rules Rule 1 Abbreviated Expressions Meaning of Abbreviated Expressions Rule 2 Interpretation of Certain Words Applicant Agent Common Representative Signature Priority Period Part B: Rules Concerning Chapter I of the Treaty Rule 3 The Request (Form) Form of Request Availability of Forms Check List Particulars Rule 4 The Request (Contents) Mandatory and Optional Contents; Signature The Petition Title of the Invention Names and Addresses The Applicant The Inventor The Agent * Adopted on June 19, 1970, and amended on April 14, 1978, October 3, 1978, May 1, 1979, June 16, 1980, September 26, 1980, July 3, 1981, September 10, 1982, October 4, 1983, February 3, 1984, September 28, 1984, October 1, 1985, July 12, 1991, October 2, 1991, September 29, 1992, September 29, 1993, October 3, 1995, October 1, 1997, September 15, 1998, September 29, 1999, March 17, 2000, October 3, 2000, October 3, 2001, October 1.

3 2002, October 1, 2003, October 5, 2004, October 5, 2005, October 3, 2006, November 12, 2007, May 15, 2008, September 29, 2008, October 1, 2009, September 29, 2010, October 5, 2011, October 9, 2012, October 2, 2013, September 30, 2014, October 14, 2015, and October 11, 2016. ** Table of Contents and Editor s Notes are added for the convenience of the reader; they do not form part of the Regulations . Regulations under the PCT (as in force from July 1, 2017) 4 Common Representative Designation of States; Kinds of Protection; National and Regional Patents Priority Claim Reference to Continuation or Continuation-in-Part, or Parent Application or Grant Taking into Account Results of Earlier Search [Deleted] [Deleted] Choice of International Searching Authority Signature Transliteration or Translation of Certain Words Declarations Relating to National Requirements Referred to in Rule (a)(i) to (v)

4 Statement of Incorporation by Reference Additional Matter Rule 5 The Description Manner of the Description Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Disclosure Rule 6 The Claims Number and Numbering of Claims References to Other Parts of the International Application Manner of Claiming Dependent Claims Utility Models Rule 7 The Drawings Flow Sheets and Diagrams Time Limit Rule 8 The Abstract Contents and Form of the Abstract Figure Guiding Principles in Drafting Rule 9 Expressions, Etc., Not to Be Used Definition Noting of Lack of Compliance Reference to Article 21(6) Rule 10 Terminology and Signs Terminology and Signs Consistency Regulations under the PCT (as in force from July 1, 2017) 5 Rule 11 Physical Requirements of the International Application Number of Copies Fitness for Reproduction Material to Be Used Separate Sheets, Etc.

5 Size of Sheets Margins Numbering of Sheets Numbering of Lines Writing of Text Matter Drawings, Formulae, and Tables, in Text Matter Words in Drawings Alterations, Etc. Special Requirements for Drawings Later Documents Rule 12 Language of the International Application and Translations for the Purposes of International Search and International Publication Languages Accepted for the Filing of International Applications Language of Elements and Parts Furnished under Rule , or Language of Indications Furnished under Rule Language of Changes in the International Application Translation for the Purposes of International Search Translation for the Purposes of International Publication Rule 12bis Submission by the Applicant of Documents Relating to Earlier Search Furnishing by the Applicant of Documents Related to Earlier Search in Case of Request under Rule Invitation by the International Searching Authority to Furnish Documents Related to Earlier Search in Case of Request under Rule Rule 13 Unity of Invention Requirement Circumstances in Which the Requirement of Unity of

6 Invention Is to Be Considered Fulfilled Determination of Unity of Invention Not Affected by Manner of Claiming Dependent Claims Regulations under the PCT (as in force from July 1, 2017) 6 Utility Models Rule 13bis Inventions Relating to Biological Material Definition References (General) References: Contents; Failure to Include Reference or Indication References: Time Limit for Furnishing Indications References and Indications for the Purposes of One or More Designated States; Different Deposits for Different Designated States; Deposits with Depositary Institutions Other than Those Notified Furnishing of Samples National Requirements: Notification and Publication Rule 13ter Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Listings Procedure before the International Searching Authority Procedure before the International Preliminary Examining Authority Sequence Listing for Designated Office Rule 14 The Transmittal Fee The Transmittal Fee Rule 15 The International Filing Fee The International Filing Fee Amount Time Limit for Payment.

7 Amount Payable Refund Rule 16 The Search Fee Right to Ask for a Fee Refund Partial Refund Rule 16bis Extension of Time Limits for Payment of Fees Invitation by the Receiving Office Late Payment Fee Rule 17 The Priority Document Obligation to Submit Copy of Earlier National or International Application Availability of Copies Rule 18 The Applicant Residence and Nationality [Deleted] Two or More Applicants Regulations under the PCT (as in force from July 1, 2017) 7 Information on Requirements under National Law as to Applicants Rule 19 The Competent Receiving Office Where to File Two or More Applicants Publication of Fact of Delegation of Duties of Receiving Office Transmittal to the International Bureau as Receiving Office Rule 20 International Filing Date Determination under Article 11(1) Positive Determination under Article 11(1) Defects under Article 11(1) Negative Determination under Article 11(1)

8 Missing Parts Confirmation of Incorporation by Reference of Elements and Parts Time Limit Incompatibility with National Laws Rule 21 Preparation of Copies Responsibility of the Receiving Office Certified Copy for the Applicant Rule 22 Transmittal of the Record Copy and Translation Procedure [Deleted] Time Limit under Article 12(3) Rule 23 Transmittal of the Search Copy, Translation and Sequence Listing Procedure Rule 23bis Transmittal of Documents Relating to Earlier Search or Classification Transmittal of Documents Relating to Earlier Search in Case of Request under Rule Transmittal of Documents Relating to Earlier Search or Classification for the Purposes of Rule Rule 24 Receipt of the Record Copy by the International Bureau [Deleted] Notification of Receipt of the Record Copy Regulations under the PCT (as in force from July 1, 2017)

9 8 Rule 25 Receipt of the Search Copy by the International Searching Authority Notification of Receipt of the Search Copy Rule 26 Checking by, and Correcting before, the Receiving Office of Certain Elements of the International Application Invitation under Article 14(1)(b) to Correct Time Limit for Correction Checking of Requirements under Article 14(1)(a)(i) and (ii) Checking of Physical Requirements under Article 14(1)(a)(v) Invitation under Article 14(1)(b) to Correct Defects under Rule 11 Invitation to Correct Defects under Article 3(4)(i) Procedure Decision of the Receiving Office Rule 26bis Correction or Addition of Priority Claim Correction or Addition of Priority Claim Defects in Priority Claims Restoration of Right of Priority by Receiving Office Rule 26ter Correction or Addition of Declarations under Rule Correction or Addition of Declarations Processing of Declarations Rule 27 Lack of Payment of Fees Fees Rule 28 Defects Noted by the International Bureau Note on Certain Defects Rule 29 International Applications Considered Withdrawn Finding by Receiving Office [Deleted]

10 Calling Certain Facts to the Attention of the Receiving Office Notification of Intent to Make Declaration under Article 14(4) Rule 30 Time Limit under Article 14(4) Time Limit Rule 31 Copies Required under Article 13 Request for Copies Preparation of Copies Regulations under the PC