Decommissioning of the PCT-EASY functionality

21.05.2015 | ip-search

From 1 July 2015, it will no longer be possible to file PCT applications in PCT-EASY mode.

All PCT applications submitted on paper together with a copy in electronic form on or after 1 July 2015 will be treated as a PCT application in paper format. The fee reduction (CHF 100.00) will no longer apply for such applications. The IPI therefore draws attention to the possibility of filing online via PCT/IB/International Bureau:

www.wipo.int/pct/en/filing/filing.html



PCT-EASY was introduced in 1998 as the precursor to the current fully electronic filing systems ePCT and PCT-SAFE.
In 2003, around 45% of all PCT applications were filed via PCT EASY. By 2014, however, only 2.3% of all filings were submitted this way, compared to 91.3% filed online as ePCT applications or using PCT-SAFE.

The notice about the decommissioning of the PCT Easy Modus has been published in a WIPO newsletter:

www.wipo.int/pct/en/newslett/2015/article_0001.html