PCTSAFE

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World Intellectual Property Organization

• PCT-SAFE
• Preparing PCT Applications Electronically
• South Africa, February 5-9, 2007

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Agenda

• Introduction to PCT-SAFE
• Preparing and filing a PCT-SAFE application

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PCT-SAFE Mission Statement

• To develop and make available to all PCT
  applicants and Offices an electronic filing
  system that is
• safe (can be used with confidence)
• convenient (user friendly), cost effective,
  efficient, widely accessible
• conducive to simple filing of PCT compliant
  applications
• based upon agreed standards
• interoperable with other electronic filing
  software used by patent applicants and offices
• an attractive and widely used alternative to
  paper based filing

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What is PCT-SAFE?

• PCT-SAFE Secure Applications Filed
  Electronically
• System for the preparation and submission of
  entire PCT international applications in
  electronic form based on a legal framework and
  technical standard (Part 7 and Annex F of the
  Administrative Instructions Under the PCT)
• Multilingual (7 publication languages)
• Fee reductions available to users

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PCT Types of filing
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PCT-SAFE overview facts and figures

• PCT-EASY filing possible since January 1999 (as
  part of PCT-SAFE January 2004)
• PCT-EASY type filings accepted by more than 70
  receiving Offices, including RO/ZA (61)
• PCT-SAFE fully electronic filing possible with
  RO/IB since February 2004, currently 18 e-filing
  offices
• Fully electronic and PCT-EASY type filings
  currently account for 56 of all PCT filings
• at RO/IB (October 2006) PCT-EASY filings 12,
  fully electronic 53, paper only filings 35
• More than 11,000 registered users worldwide

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Validation function (automatic formality check)
Traffic lights assist in completing request
form data
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PCT-SAFE E-filing components (1)
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PCT-SAFE E-filing components (2)

• PCT-SAFE Client
• used to create the PCT request form, attach the
  application documents, digitally sign the
  application, package and transmit application to
  RO
• PCT-SAFE Editor
• used to create the application body (description,
  claims, abstract, drawings) in XML format
  (optional)
• PKI Services
• industry-recognized digital signatures and
  security for electronic data
• PCT-SAFE receiving Server
• allows RO to receive, store and print
  electronically filed PCT applications

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PCT-SAFE Benefits (1)

• Accessibility
• PCT-SAFE products are available to all users,
  free of charge
• Learning tool for filing PCT applications
• Encourages use of the PCT system
• Harmonizes technical and legal aspects of patent
  filing
• Instant receipt of filing when filed on-line
• Possible to practice in demo mode

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PCT-SAFE Benefits (2)

• Reduced filing costs (printing, copying and
  mailing), both in terms of time and money, less
  paper used
• Fee reduction
• XML formatting for the application documents will
  render the data more searchable and re-usable
• Digital certificate (for signing and transmitting
  applications) from WIPO, or use existing
  certificates that are accepted by the receiving
  Office

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PCT-SAFE Fee reductions

• PCT-SAFE fee reductions
• PCT-EASY type of filing (paper physical
  medium)CHF 100 (ZAR 620, USD 78, or equivalent)
• Fully electronic type of filing with application
  body in image format (e.g. PDF, TIFF
  attachments)CHF 200 (USD 155, or equivalent)
• Fully electronic type of filing with application
  body in character coded format (XML)CHF 300 (USD
  233, or equivalent)

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Using PCT-SAFE obtaining a digital certificate
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Using PCT-SAFE PCT-SAFE Editor
application body.xml
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Using PCT-SAFE preparing a request form
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Using PCT-SAFE Attaching pdf document
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Using PCT-SAFE attaching XML application body
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Using PCT-SAFE validation
?
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Using PCT-SAFE signing the application
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Using PCT-SAFE Submission - online
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Using PCT-SAFE Submission - physical media
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How to obtain PCT-SAFE

• PCT-SAFE Client and PCT-SAFE Editor
• download from the PCT-SAFE web site
• CD installation from Help Desk
• WIPO CA digital certificate
• obtain through the PCT-SAFE web site
• Cost
• free of charge
• Supporting Documentation
• user guides and e-tutorials available on web site
  and installation CD

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For further information

• PCT-SAFE Help Desk WIPO34 chemin des
  Colombettes 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerlandtel (41
  -22) 338 95 23 fax [phone]e-mail
  pctsafe.help_at_wipo.int
• internet http//www.wipo.int/pct-safe