Rule 24(1) - OJ 1999, 165

PCT Reminder: EASY for international applications

- OJ 1999, 165 -

As mentioned in OJ EPO 1998, 627 (628), as from 1 January 1999 applicants may file the request part of international applications in the PCT-EASY format using the PCT-EASY software made available by the International Bureau provided the following three conditions are met:

(i) the request is presented as a computer print-out prepared using the PCT-EASY software ("request in PCT-EASY format"),

(ii) the request is filed together with a computer diskette, prepared using that software, containing a copy in electronic form of the data contained in the request and of the abstract ("PCT-EASY diskette"), and

(iii) the international application is filed with a receiving Office which is prepared to accept the filing of international applications containing requests in PCT-EASY format together with PCT-EASY diskettes.

Where these requirements are fulfilled, the international fee is reduced by CHF 200 (for other currencies see Section IV of PCT Gazette No. 48/1998 of 3.December 1998 or PCT Newsletter 12/1998, page 15, footnote 3).

As from 1 January 1999, only the General Release Version 2.80 of the PCT-EASY software should be used for preparing requests in the PCT-EASY format. In case you would like to install other modules of the EASY software (eg EP-EASY) on the same computer, please make sure that you are using the correct 32 bit version of these modules. Further information may be obtained from the EP-EASY Helpdesk: easyhelp@epo.nl.

Further details of PCT-EASY have been published in Section IV of the PCT Gazette Nos. 51/1998 of 23.December 1998, 52/1998 of 30.December 98 and in the PCT Newsletters 12/1998 and 1/1999. Further information may also be obtained from the PCT-EASY home page on the Internet (http://pcteasy.wipo.int) or by contacting WIPO's PCT-EASY Helpdesk:

Telephone: (41 22) 338 9523

Fax: (41-22) 338 8040

e-mail: pcteasy.help@wipo.int