URL: Location: Home→Patents→Law→Legal texts

How to get a European patent - "Euro-PCT"

Guide for Applicants - Part 2 - Table of Contents

B. The EPO as a PCT receiving Office

C. The EPO as an International Searching Authority (ISA) - PCT Chapter I

Fax filing

Fax filing

If an international application is filed by fax, the date on which the facsimile application documents are received in full at the EPO is accorded as the date of receipt of the application. Each of the EPO filing offices is based in the Central European Time zone (CET). For fax numbers, see Annex IV.

R. 92.4 PCT

OJ 2005, 41, 44

If an international application is filed by fax, the original, ie the confirmation copy, is to be filed simultaneously, and the fax should state that the confirmation copy has been forwarded. In any event the confirmation copy must be filed no later than one month from the date of invitation by the EPO. As in the case of filing by post, the confirmation copy is to be filed in triplicate (see points 15 and 45).

OJ 2005, 41, 44

An international application cannot be filed with the EPO by telegram, telex, teletex or e-mail. Applications so filed cannot be accorded a valid date of filing. E-mail, telegram, telex and teletex have no legal force in proceedings under the PCT and cannot be used validly to perform any procedural act. Therefore, no time limit for such act can be complied with via such means.

OJ 2000, 458

OJ 2005, 44

Main Navigation

Sub Navigation

Main Content

How to get a European patent - "Euro-PCT"