PCT Yearly Review - WIPO

Section b
performance of the pct system
B.2.2 Timeliness in transmitting PCT applications
Figure B.2.2 presents statistics on the average timeliness
of ROs in transmitting PCT applications to the IB. 26
The PCT regulations provide that the copy of the PCT
application sent by the RO must reach the IB before the
expiration of the 13 th month from the priority date. PCT
applications are usually filed before the expiration of 12
months from the priority date. Where this is the case, the
IB should receive the application within one month of the
international filing date.
Since 2007, there has been considerable improvement in
the timeliness in transmitting PCT applications to the IB.
Between 2001 and 2007, the average transmission time
varied between six and seven weeks from the international
filing date. However, since 2010, this time has been
cut in half, to around three weeks (3.2 weeks in 2012).
This is partly attributable to a shift towards electronic filing
that has made the exchange of information between
ROs and the IB more efficient.
Figure B.2.2: Average timeliness in transmitting PCT applications to the IB
8
Average timeliness in transmitting PCT applications
7
6
Weeks
5
4
3
2
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Year
Note: Timeliness is calculated as the time elapsed between the international filing date and the date on which the IB received the PCT application from the
receiving office. Applications transmitted under PCT article 19.4 are excluded.
Source: WIPO Statistics Database, March 2013
26 A copy of the PCT application, known as the
record copy, is transmitted to the IB by the RO for
processing, publication and communication.
65