At the Meeting of International Authorities under the PCT in February 2013, the issue of promoting linkage between the international phase and the national phase was discussed in set of proposals from the Japan Patent Office (see paragraphs 14 to 22 of document PCT/MIA/20/12). As a follow-up to these discussions, the Japan Patent Office agreed to share its guidelines for utilizing prior art search and examination results in the international phase. The Meeting also recommended that other designated Offices should similarly be invited to share such guidelines (see paragraph 97 of document PCT/MIA/20/14).
The guidelines from the Japan Patent Office for utilizing prior art search and examination results are posted on this page. Designated Offices were invited to post any guidelines they use for utilizing prior art search and examination results here. Offices are also welcome to share and discuss other practices to improve the linkage between the international and national phase, such as the other measures discussed in paragraphs 18 to 22 of document PCT/MIA/20/12, and comments and suggestions on this subject are welcome from all interested parties.
Following a first round of comments (items April 10 to June 28, below), the International Bureau posted some follow-up questions (Comment of 12 July, below) and invited further comments by 30 September 2013.
Following the second round of comments, the JPO has posted a summary and update and invites further comments from International Authorities and designated and elected Offices to assist discussion at the next session of the Meeting of International Authorities (to be held 4-6 February 2015). Note: This forum has been restricted so that only specifically authorized users may post to it. If you wish to respond, please email pct.bdd@wipo.int, either indicating your WIPO Account username (create one here if necessary) and the Office which you represent, or indicating a message which you would like the International Bureau to post on your behalf. |