PCT training and events
Want to learn more about the PCT procedure at the EPO?
PCT training and online seminars
| Dates | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 30 April 2024 | online seminar |
Receiving PCT communications electronically from the EPO |
| 28 May 2024 | online seminar | Mise à jour PCT organisée par la CNCPI, avec la participation de l’ OEB et de l’ OMPI – in French |
| 6 June 2024 | online seminar |
PCT beim EPA: aktuelle Informationen zu den neuesten PCT-Entwicklungen - in German |
| 7 June 2024 | online seminar |
PCT at the EPO: Update on the latest PCT developments - in English |
PCT online seminar recordings
- Filing with the EPO as receiving Office
-
Filing with the EPO as receiving Office
10 April 2019
Content:
- Reasons for entering the PCT route
- Main features of the EPO as receiving Office
- Conditions for selecting the EPO as receiving Office
- Overview of new services
- Safety nets
- An example: restoration of right of priority
- Working with the EPO as ISA
-
The European Patent Office as International Searching Authority
15 May 2019
Content:
- The EPO as leading ISA in 2018
- High quality searches and written opinions
- Competence of the EPO to act as ISA
- Overview of new services
- Collaborative Search and Examination pilot
- Applicant friendly fee policy
- Working with the EPO as SISA and IPEA
-
The European Patent Office as SISA and IPEA
14 November 2019
Content:
- The EPO as SISA in 2019
- High quality searches
- Competence of the EPO to act as SISA
- Requirements to file a SIS request
- The EPO as IPEA in 2019
- Competence of the EPO to act as IPEA
- High quality examinations and written opinions
- Consultation by telephone
- Overview of services
- Applicant friendly fee policy
- Advantages of Ch. II PCT
- Entry into the European phase
- Entry into the European phase: processing your application before the EPO as designated Office
21 November 2019
Content:
- Basic aspects and principles
- Requirements for entry into the European phase: “must” and “should” requirements
- PCT at the EPO (advanced)
-
PCT Biotech – Filing sequence listings at the EPO in the framework of the PCT
6 October 2020
Content:
- The role of biological sequences in patent applications
- Filing an application containing
- sequence listings (SL)
- Fees for SL
- SL for search purposes only on filing date
- Ex officio correction
- Clarification if several SL filed
- Invitation to file SL in text format
- Rectification of obvious mistake in a sequence listing
- Missing sequence listing
PCT New Rule 20.5bis - Incorporation by reference at the EPO
13 October 2020
Content:
- History and context
- New Rule 20.5bis PCT: possible scenarios
- Incompatibility with national law
- Procedure before the EPO as RO
- Procedure before the EPO as ISA
- Procedure before the EPO as SISA and IPEA
- Procedure before the EPO as DO
PCT Practice - A practical update on EPO services in the framework of the PCT20 October 2020
Content:
- Facts and figures
- COVID-19 available remedies
- PCT Direct service
27 October 2020
Content:
- Disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Restoration of the right of priority - a possible remedy
- Background and purpose
- New developments at the RO/EP
- Request for restoration
- Admissibility
- Decision on the merits of the case
- Rule 26bis.3(h-bis)
- Examples
- Special PCT seminars
-
PCT for US paralegals and patent agents
29 April 2021
Content:
- PCT procedure before the EPO as International Authority
- Overview of electronic interactions
- Filing, receiving communications, fees, monitoring files
- Paying fees
- PCT legal updates
New EPO-CNIPA pilot on PCT services for Chinese applicants (ISA files)28 January 2021
Content:
- Conditions for participating in the pilot
- Why could it be interesting for applicants to participate?
- Procedural specificities of the pilot
- User support and information provided by the EPO and the CNIPA
Benefits for users
The EPO as a PCT authority
Did you know that applicants from all over the world can use the PCT procedure to get a high-quality search report from the EPO, the world's most popular searching authority? This early identification of relevant prior art enables you to predict outcomes in a highly cost-effective way.
Recent improvements to our services to applicants include:
- Easier access to the EPO via ePCT online filing (can also be used to submit subsequently filed documents and demands for PCT Chapter II) and EPO participation in WIPO-DAS (since 1 November 2018).
- Improved fee refund procedures (since 1 April 2019): users can now indicate in Form PCT/RO/101 a deposit account to which they want refunds to be made (where no deposit account is available, the EPO will invite the user to claim via our website).
- New credit card and automatic debiting fee payment options.
- Enhancement of search tools for EPO examiners, incorporating Asian and standards-related prior art to ensure top-quality search reports.
- Timely provision of PCT search and examination results, backed up by the EPO's PCT Direct service information on the examiner's search strategy and, in cases of non-unity, a provisional opinion on the first invention.
- EUR 100 (5%) reduction in international search and examination fees (since 1 April 2018). No supplementary European search fee payable if the international search was established by the EPO. 75% reduction in European examination fee if the EPO conducted the examination under PCT Chapter II.
- Continuation of the CS&E pilot project for a second year.
- Start of PCT Chapter II upon receipt of the demand (unless otherwise requested by the applicant) (starting 1 July 2019).
- Greater interaction with the examiner during PCT Chapter II and a top-up search to increase your chances of prompt grant in the national phase.