Common Application Format
During the November 2007 Trilateral Conference, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the European Patent Office (EPO), and the Japan Patent Office (JPO) agreed on a common application format. This format, which was developed in consultation with users from the three regions, will simplify and streamline application filing requirements in each Office to allow applicants to prepare a single application in the common application format for acceptance in each of the three Offices.
Please click on the links below to view the basic principles and requirements of the format.
- Basic Principles of the Common Application Format [PDF]
- Annex I: Common Requirements for All Types of Documents [PDF]
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Annex II: Comparative Table of Examples for Each Type of the Applications [PDF]
Example Format
The following is an example of a patent application format which complies with the Common Application Format. For legibility purposes, each heading is indented in this paper.
Description
Title of Invention
Technical Field
0001
Background Art
0002
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
0003
Solution to Problem
0004
0005
Advantageous Effects of Invention
0006
Brief Description of Drawings
0007
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Description of Embodiments
0008
Examples
0009
0010
Example 1
0011
Example 2
0012
Industrial Applicability
0013
Reference Signs List
0014
Reference to Deposited Biological Material
0015
Sequence Listing Free Text
0016
Citation List
Patent Literature
0017
Non Patent Literature
0018
Claims
Claim 1
Claim 2
Abstract
Drawings
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Sequence Listing
Current USPTO rules and procedure are consistent with the Common Application Format. While some of the requirements of the Common Application Format go beyond what the USPTO requires, the USPTO will accept an application in the Common Application Format.
Further information on the common application format and the implementation status of the common application format in each of the Trilateral Offices is available at http://www.trilateral.net/projects/pct/CAF.html