PCT Yearly Review - WIPO

Section b
performance of the pct system
SECTION B
PERFORMANCE OF THE PCT SYSTEM
B.1
International bureau
In addition to its role as a receiving office (RO), the
International Bureau (IB) is responsible for carrying out a
number of functions related to the international phase of
the PCT system. These include formalities examination,
translation of abstracts, titles and patentability reports,
and publication of PCT applications.
B.1.1 PCT applications by medium of filing
Figure B.1.1 depicts the breakdown of PCT applications
filed at all ROs by medium of filing. Every PCT application
is filed by one of the three available methods: (i) paper; (ii)
paper along with a digital storage medium (the application
being prepared electronically using WIPO-provided software
known as PCT-EASY); and (iii) fully electronic media
in different formats, such as PDF or XML. Electronic filing
offers benefits to both applicants and offices and is thus
encouraged by the PCT system through fee reductions.
Driven by the fully electronic filings, the share of electronic
flings (including PCT-EASY filings) continued to increase
in 2012, representing more than 9 applications out of 10
(90.5%). Since the introduction of fully electronic filing,
PCT-EASY filings have dropped considerably – from
44.8% in 2003 to only 3.1% in 2012. Paper filings accounted
for 71.3% of filings in 2000 but only 9.5% in 2012.
Figure B.1.1: PCT applications by medium of filing
Paper Paper + PCT EASY Fully electronic (PDF, SEF and XML)
Distribution of PCT applications (%)
100
75
50
25
28.7 34.7 40.9 45.8 48.9 54.0 57.6 67.4 74.3 79.9 83.9 87.2 90.5
Share of electronic filings, incl. PCT EASY (%)
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
International filing year
Note: 2012 data are WIPO estimates.
Source: WIPO Statistics Database, March 2013
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