Online filing options comparison table

You prepare your PDF or XML (using PATXML software) documents (except for the request) offline. 

Your documents are stored locally and can be retrieved and re-used at any time later on. 

A receipt is issued immediately upon filing. 

It is a web-based application – no need for updates at the user’s end.

You prepare your PDF or XML documents offline (except for the request).  

Your documents are stored on the EPO server during the whole process and can be retrieved and re-used.  

A receipt is issued immediately upon filing. 

It is a web-based application; this means that there is no need for updates at the user’s end. You prepare your documents (except the request) offline in PDF or DOCX (converted within ePCT to XML) and submit them.  

Your documents are stored on the IB's server during the whole process and can be retrieved and re-used at any time later on.  

A receipt is issued immediately upon filing. 

• EP 1001
• EP 1200 (Euro-PCT) 
• EP 1038 (including appeal) 
• PCT demand (PCT/IPEA/401) 
• PCT SFD (subsequent actions) 
• EP OPPO (opposition) 
• PCT/RO/101  
• Supports filing with several national offices, including national office procedure and IB (PCT/RO/101) 
• UP 7000 (Request for unitary effect) 
• UP 7038 (European patent with unitary effect – Letter accompanying subsequently filed items) 

• EP 1001 
• EP 1200 (Euro-PCT) 
• EP 2300 (Notice of opposition) 
• EP 1038 (including filing, search, examination, opposition, limitation and revocation) 
• PCT/RO/101  
• PCT SFD (subsequent action) 
• PCT/IPEA/401  
• UP 7000 (Request for unitary effect) 
• UP 7038 (European patent with unitary effect – Letter accompanying subsequently filed items) 
• EP3002E (Notice of appeal) 
• EP 1038 (appeal) 

• PCT/RO/101  
• PCT demand (PCT/IPEA/401). See Actions > Submit Chapter II Demand  
• Upload of subsequently filed documents to the EPO as RO, ISA or IPEA 

• Filing with national offices 

• EP 1001 
• EP 1200 (Euro-PCT) 
• EP 1038 
• EP Oppo (opposition) 
• National office filings 

• Users need an EPO Account using two-step authentication. 
• The EPO account works for EP and PCT submissions to the EPO as filing office, receiving office or in any other capacity. 
• Users who do not yet have an EPO account set up can create one here   
• The OLF software must be installed and up to date patches 

• Users need to register for Online Filing 2.0 
• Users need to sign in via their EPO account using two-step authentication
• Users who do not yet have an EPO account set up can create one here   

• Users have to enrol and they obtain a username and password within minutes 
• It requires additional authentication by uploading a digital certificate to a WIPO user account, or by entering a one-time password generated by app or received by text message (SMS) 

Service is provided via a secure internet connection.  

Account management enables sharing of rights with other users (ehandshake). 

• PDF or XML format 
• Sequence listings (ST26) 

• PDF or XML format 
• Sequence listings (ST26) 

• PDF, DOCX converted to XML, XML, sequence listings in TXT (ST26) 

• Online Filing (OLF) 
• Online Filing tutorial  

• Online Filing 2.0 
• User guide 

• ePCT portal 
• User guide