PDF, PCT Yearly Review - WIPO

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C.2 New Internet Resources on PCT Website
During 2010, in addition to the regular updating of existing materials, the following new resources were
made available to PCT users:
PCT Time Limit Calculator supports additional languages. The web-based PCT Time Limit Calculator is
now available in Chinese, English, French, German, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. The
Calculator assists applicants in computing essential PCT time limits and provides full explanations of all time
limits, as well as references to relevant PCT articles or rules. By selecting “summary”, all calculated time
limits are shown together on one practical reference page. Using the Calculator does not require any prior
registration and is available free of charge.
Practical web page on PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway (PCT-PPH) Pilot. This web page 26 brings together
details and forms for use in the fast-track examination procedures now available at certain offices. It
indicates which offices have entered into bilateral agreements concerning the accelerated processing of PCT
applications, based on positive results obtained by other PCT authorities offering this option. 27 This resource
is currently available in English but will become available in Chinese, French, German, Korean, Japanese,
Portuguese, Russian and Spanish in the course of 2011.
Directives for new equivalent amounts of certain fees. A new web page containing the revised
procedures for establishing equivalent amounts in different currencies for the international filing fee, the
search fee, the supplementary search fee and the handling fee, as approved by the PCT Assembly, is
available in English and French. 28 These revised procedures entered into force on July 1, 2010.
Archive of PCT Assembly documents online. A historical archive of PCT Assembly documents from, 1978
to 1996, containing all documents issued for particular meetings, has been made available on the PCT
website in order to expand the archives of PCT documents available on the Internet. 29 These documents
provide insight into and perspective on the early beginnings and development of the PCT system. Additional
historical collections of PCT documents will progressively be added.
New Frequently Asked Questions on PCT Articles 19 and 34. A comprehensive set of guidelines on filing
amendments to claims under PCT Articles 19 and 34 has been published in English and French and will be
made available in Chinese, German, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish in 2011.
C.3 Special Access to Information for Developing Countries
Following the launch in 2009 of the Access to Research for Development and Innovation (aRDi) program, in
2010 WIPO launched a second program, called Access to Specialized Patent Information (ASPI), that aims
to provide intellectual property (IP) offices, universities and research institutes in least developed countries
(LDCs) with free access and certain developing countries with very low-cost access to technology databases.
Both programs aim to support least developed and developing countries in effectively leveraging the
valuable information contained in patents, as well as in scientific and technical journals.
The aRDi program provides access to over 50 scientific and technical journals in partnership with 12
prominent publishers for 107 developing and least developed countries. 30
The ASPI program, in cooperation with six of the world’s leading commercial patent database vendors,
provides access to commercial patent databases offering sophisticated tools and services for retrieving and
analyzing patent data for 115 developing and least developed countries. 31
Access to these databases and services is underpinned by training and awareness-raising activities within the
framework of WIPO’s project to establish Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) in developing countries.
26
Available at: www.wipo.int/pct/en/filing/pct_pph.html
27
See subsection D.2 for further information on the PCT-PPH pilot.
28
Available at: www.wipo.int/pct/en/fees/equivalent_amounts.html
29
Available at: www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic.jsp?group_id=135
30
See further details at www.wipo.int/ardi/en/
31
See further details at www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/programs/aspi/index.html