Announcements Concerning the PCT:

EFS-Web 1.4 and PCT - UPDATE

In a previous announcement, it was posted that EFS-Web would check the international application number and the international filing date entered by applicants into the Graphical User Interface in the EFS-Web screen, when submitting the initial documents to enter the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, EFS-Web.  Unfortunately, this feature was not ready for production and was not deployed in the latest EFS-Web release.

EFS-Web 1.4 and PCT

The release of EFS-Web 1.4 on August 17, 2008 will have a number of enhancements that will be useful to filers of national stage and international applications.

1. National Stage enhancements: Applicant submitting initial documents to enter the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371 will  be able to check and edit  the international application number before clicking the submit button.

2. Sequence listing enhancements: e-Filers will be able to upload one sequence listing (txt) file up to 100 MB per submission.  The sequence listing file must be uploaded separately from other types of files.  Sequence listing files that exceed 100MB can be submitted on compact disc via Express Mail. EFS-Web will also display a warning if the sequence listing does not conform to the ST.25 format.

3. Fee Codes: Since Priority Documents are now free of charge; the 8007 Fee Code will be removed from the PCT Calculate Fee screen. The 1708 and 1463 Fee Codes have been added to the PCT Calculate Fee screen. Fee code 1708 is for sequence listing and/or sequence-related table on electronic medium only (PCT AI Section 801).  Fee code 1463 is for petitions requiring the petition fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(g) (Group II).

Other enhancements may be viewed at: http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/portal/enhance14.htm

EPO Search Fee Increase

The amount of the search fee for the European Patent Office (EPO) to act as the International Searching Authority (ISA) will increase to $2665, effective 01 August 2008. The revised PCT Fee Schedule will be posted at: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/dapps/pct/fees.htm.

01 July 2008 Changes to Certain International Fees

The International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization has informed the United States Patent and Trademark Office, that due to an adjustment in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar with regard to the Swiss franc, the dollar amount of the following fees for international applications filed in the RO/US will increase, effective 01 July 2008. The PCT Fee Schedule is posted at: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/dapps/pct/fees.htm.

$1338 - International filing fee (first thirty pages)

$1237 - International filing fee (first thirty pages - filed in paper with PCT-EASY file on diskette, CD-R or DVD-R or filed electronically without PCT-EASY zip file)

$1137 - International filing fee (first thirty pages - filed electronically with PCT-EASY zip file)

$15 - Supplemental fee for each additional page over first thirty pages

$6000 - Sequence listing and/or sequence-related table on electronic medium only (PCT AI Section 801)

01 July 2008 Amendments to the PCT Regulations, Administrative Instructions and Other Practice Changes

The PCT Regulations and Administrative Instructions have been amended with effect from 01 July 2008. The text of the amendments of the PCT Regulations and Administrative Instructions to which will enter into force on 01 July 2008 are currently available at: www.wipo.int/pct/en/texts/index.htm. Detailed information regarding the 01 July 2008 amendments to the PCT Regulations, Administrative Instructions and other practice changes are available at: www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/pct/en/texts/ppt/2008changes.ppt.

Further, the request form (PCT/RO/101) and demand form (PCT/IPEA/401) also have been amended to take into account the 01 July 2008 changes. The forms are currently available at: www.wipo.int/pct/en/forms/index.htm.

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