Finland’s PCT initiative took a step forward at WIPO

Finland has applied for the entitlement to act as an International Searching Authority and an International Preliminary Examination Authority.

There are now ten examining PCT authorities under the international Patent Cooperation Treaty in the world, each of which has been appointed to conduct novelty searches primarily in its own speech area.

The principal idea of the PCT system is to enable the filing for a patent with a single application in all countries that have become party to the Treaty.

PCT authorities are appointed by the General Assembly of the PCT Union, which is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation WIPO. The PCT Union has 117 member states.

Finland’s application was for the first time addressed in the General Assembly of the PCT Union. The Assembly stated that Finland is fully entitled to apply for this authority status and that the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland has the resources required and capability to act as a PCT authority. WIPO’s Secretariat also supported Finland’s application.

The handling of the matter was postponed until next year when it will be decided on in the General Assembly of the PCT Union. The National Board of Patents and Registration aims to start acting as a PCT authority during the year 2004.

Further information:
Maarit Löytömäki (Ms)
Deputy Director
National Board of Patents and Registration
Patents and Innovations Line
Phone +358 9 6939 5515