The delegation of the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO) took part in the 15th session of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Working Group and the 32nd session of the PCT Committee for Technical Cooperation of the PCT Union from 3 to 7 October 2022. For the first time, the Office participated in the PCT Working Group as an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority.

The agenda included the matters of the implementation of new standards, initiatives in the field of Patent Prosecution Highway and collaborative search and examination, coordination of activities in the field of patent examiner training, access to patent documentation and others.

The EAPO delegation reported that its activities as a PCT International Authority had already started, and the Office had received the first applications in this capacity. The EAPO was recognized as a competent International Authority by the patent offices of six countries of the Eurasian region.

The EAPO initiated the approval of official translations into Russian of a number of forms that are used in the international phase of the PCT procedure. The International Bureau of WIPO supported the proposal. Translations are planned to be promptly prepared and approved to unify interaction with applicants and increase the convenience of offices and users of the PCT system operating in Russian.

Within the framework of the PCT Committee for Technical Cooperation, the EAPO supported the appointment of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property Office (SAIP) as the new International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authority under the PCT, as it will promote wider use of the international patent system and the development of innovation processes. The final decision will be taken by the PCT Assembly in 2023.

We remind you that WIPO and the EAPO are conducting a series of trainings on the PCT system for national and Eurasian patent attorneys, practitioners, national applicants, and employees of national IP offices of the EAPO member states. The next workshop will take place on October 11, 2022. Details in the official telegram channel of the Office and at the link.