Waivers under PCT Rules 90.4(d) and 90.5(c)

The National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland has informed the International Bureau that it waives under PCT Rules 90.4(d) and 90.5(c) the requirements to submit either a separate power of attorney and/or a copy of a general power of attorney as follows:

Under PCT Rules 90.4(d) and 90.5(c) which came into force on 1 January 2004, the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland, in its capacities as receiving Office, International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority, has informed the International Bureau that it waives the requirements under PCT Rules 90.4(b) and 90.5(a) (ii) to submit either a separate power of attorney and/or a copy of a general power of attorney. This will have effect from 1 October 2005.

Accordingly, the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland, in its capacities as receiving Office and International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authority waived the requirements to submit either a separate power of attorney and/or a copy of a general power of attorney.

A separate power of attorney is, however, required upon appointment of, or for any paper submitted by, an agent or a common representative who was not indicated in the request form or in the demand form at the time of their filing.

Following PCT Rules concerning authorisation must still be observed:

• Rule 90 bis 1: without authorisation, an agent or a common representative may not withdraw an application
• Rule 90 bis 2: without authorisation, an agent or a common representative may not withdraw designations
• Rule 90 bis 3: without authorisation, an agent or a common representative may not withdraw priority claims
• Rule 90 bis 4: without authorisation, an agent or a common representative may not withdraw a demand, or elections of states

For further information, please contact Head of Division Laila Jungfelt, tel. +358 9 6939 5663 or Assistant Inspector Tuija Hämäläinen, tel. +358 9 6939 5337.

Deputy Director Maarit Löytömäki