Amendments to the PCT Regulations as from 1 July 2012

The amendments to the following Rules of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) will enter into force on 1 July 2012:

• Rule 17.1(b-bis): Extension of the time limit when the priority document is available to the International Bureau from a digital library (DAS).
• Rule 20.7(b): Clarification concerning time limits in relation to correcting defects under PCT Article 11.
• Rule 34: Incorporation of Chinese patent documents into the PCT minimum documentation.
• New Rule 82quater: Current Rule 82.2 will be replaced with a new broader rule allowing the relevant office to excuse the delay in meeting any time limit set in the Regulations in the case of force majeure. The new rule will not apply to the priority period nor to the period for entry into the national phase.
  

Read more about the amendments on the WIPO website.

For further information, please contact:
Ms Riitta Larja
Deputy Head of Division
National Board of Patents and Registration
Tel. +358 9 6939 5681
riitta.larja(at) prh.fi