PCT Yearly Review - WIPO

Section b
performance of the pct system
in 2013 with a view to improving agency yield. This will
be a priority focus for 2013, culminating in a new tender
for Korean translation to be used as a benchmark for
subsequent tenders.
B.1.5 Terminology database
In 2012 the IB continued to develop its multilingual
terminology database in order to improve the quality of
internally and externally produced translations. Emphasis
was placed on adding terms in certain languages that
are currently underrepresented in the database, namely
Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian
and Spanish. During the year, 17,553 terms were added
across all 10 PCT publication languages. At the end of
2012, the database contained 65,500 terms, among
which 93% were validated terms. The main objective
for 2013 is to prepare to publish the database on the
WIPO website.
B.1.6 Timeliness in publishing PCT applications
PCT applications and related documents are to be
published “promptly” after the expiration of 18 months
from the priority date, unless the applicant requests early
publication or the application is withdrawn or considered
withdrawn. Figure B.1.6 shows publication timeliness after
the expiration of the 18-month period.
For the fifth consecutive year, timeliness in publishing
PCT applications has improved. In 2012, 77.3% of publications
occurred within one week after the expiration of
the 18-month period, and 98% within two weeks.
Figure B.1.6: Timeliness in publishing PCT applications
Within 1 week In the 2nd week In the 3rd week In the 4th week More than 4 weeks
Distribution by time category (%)
100
75
50
25
57.3 44.1 22.0 7.4 8.4 49.1 43.1 54.8 65.9 74.2 75.0 77.3
Share of PCT applications published within one week (%)
0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Publication year
Note: Timeliness is calculated as the time elapsed between the time limit of 18 months from the priority date and the actual publication date.
Source: WIPO Statistics Database, March 2013
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