Guide for applicants, Part 2

PCT procedure before the EPO ("Euro-PCT")

Part 2 of the "Guide for applicants" is aimed at those interested in pursuing the procedure under the PCT and focuses on elements specific to the PCT procedure before the EPO. This part of the Guide is referred to as the "Euro-PCT Guide" to distinguish it from the PCT Applicant's Guide published by WIPO ("WIPO PCT Guide").

The "Euro-PCT Guide" aims to cover all the points to note when the EPO acts in its capacity as:

• a receiving office,
• an International Searching Authority (ISA), Supplementary International Searching Authority (SISA) and/or International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA), and/or
• a designated or an elected office ("European phase").

Important information about updates

The PDF and HTML versions of the Euro-PCT Guide have been updated. They now reflect the status on 1 July 2011, with the exception of Chapter E concerning the procedure before the EPO as a designated and elected Office ("European phase").

Chapter E concerning the European phase will be updated by the end of the year. Until its release applicants are referred to the 2008 edition but must keep in mind that part of the information is not up to date.

The new 5th edition of the Euro-PCT Guide will be released in print at the end of 2012. You will be able to pre‑order a paper copy one month before the publication date.

The Euro-PCT Guide merely provides an overview of the Euro-PCT procedure and does not replace the relevant publications of the EPO and WIPO.