Administrative Instructions under the Patent Cooperation Treaty

Instruction 217 : Corrections concernant des expressions, etc., à ne pas utiliser dans la demande internationale selon la règle 9.2

Instruction 218 : Traitement d'une requête en exclusion de renseignements en vertu des règles 48.2.l) et 94.1.e)

TROISIÈME PARTIE : Instructions relatives à l'office récepteur

Instruction 301

Instruction 302 : Revendication de priorité considérée comme n'ayant pas été présentée

Instruction 304 : Invitation à payer certaines taxes avant la date à laquelle elles sont dues

Instruction 305 : Identification des exemplaires de la demande internationale

Instruction 305bis Administrative Instructions under the Patent Cooperation Treaty : Préparation, identification et transmission des copies de la traduction de la demande internationale conformément aux règles 12.3,12.4 et 26.3ter.e)

Instruction 305

ter as in force from January 1, 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS1

PART 1: INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO GENERAL MATTERS

Section 101: Abbreviated Expressions and Interpretation

Section 102: Use of the Forms

Section 102bis: [Deleted]

Section 103: Languages of the Forms Used by International Authorities

Section 104: Language of Correspondence

Section 105: Identification of International Application with Two or More Applicants

Section 106: Change of Common Representative

Section 107: Identification of International Authorities and of Designated and Elected Offices

Section 108: Correspondence Intended for the Applicant

Section 109: File Reference

Section 110: Dates

Section 111: Excuse of Delay in Meeting Time Limits and Extension of Time Limits under Rule 82quater

Section 112: Ceasing of Effect under Articles 24(1)(iii) and 39(2), Review under Article 25(2) and Maintaining of Effect under Articles 24(2) and 39(3)

Section 113: Special Fees Payable to the International Bureau

Section 114: Notification and Transfer of Fees

Section 115: Indications of States, Territories and Intergovernmental Organizations

Section 116: Minimum Documentation

PART 2: INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO THE INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION

Section 201: Language of the International Application

Section 202: [Deleted]

Section 203: Different Applicants for Different Designated States

Section 204: Headings of the Parts of the Description

Section 204bis:  Numbering of Claims

Section 205: Numbering and Identification of Claims upon Amendment

Section 206: Unity of Invention

Section 207: Arrangement of Elements and Numbering of Sheets of the International Application

Section 208: Sequence Listings

Section 209: Indications as to Deposited Biological Material on a Separate Sheet

Section 210: [Deleted]

Section 211: Declaration as to the Identity of the Inventor

Section 212: Declaration as to the Applicant's Entitlement to Apply for and Be Granted a Patent

Section 213: Declaration as to the Applicant's Entitlement to Claim Priority of Earlier Application

Section 214: Declaration of Inventorship

Section 215: Declaration as to Non-Prejudicial Disclosures or Exceptions to Lack of Novelty

Section 216: Notice of Correction or Addition of a Declaration under Rule 26ter

Section 217: Corrections Concerning Expressions, Etc., Not to Be Used in the International Application under Rule 9.2

Section 218: Processing of a Request for Omission of Information Referred to in Rules 48.2(l) and 94.1(e)

PART 3: INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO THE RECEIVING OFFICE

Section 301: Notification of Receipt of Purported International Application

Section 302: Priority Claim Considered Not to Have Been Made

Section 303: Deletion of Additional Matter in the Request

Section 304: Invitation to Pay Fees before Date on Which They Are Due

Section 305: Identifying the Copies of the International Application

Section 305bis: Preparation, Identification and Transmittal of the Copies of the Translation of the International Application under Rules 12.3, 12.4 and 26.3ter(e)

Section 305ter: Identification and Transmittal of the Translation of an Earlier Application Furnished under Rule 20.6(a)(iii)

Section 306: Delayed Transmittal of Search Copy

Section 307: System of Numbering International Applications

Section 308: Marking of the Sheets of the International Application and of the Translation thereof under Rules 12.3, 12.4, 20.2, 20.4 and 26.3ter

Section 308bis: Marking of Later Submitted Sheets

Section 309: Procedure in the Case of Later Submitted Sheets Furnished for the Purposes of Incorporation by Reference

Section 310: Procedure in the Case of Later Submitted Sheets Not Furnished for the Purposes of Incorporation by Reference

Section 310bis: Procedure in the Case of Later Submitted Sheets Resulting in the Correction of the International Filing Date under Rule 20.5(c) or 20.5bis(c)

Section 310ter: Procedure in the Case of Later Submitted Sheets Furnished after the Expiration of the Applicable Time Limit Referred to in Rule 20.7

Section 311: Renumbering in the Case of Deletion, Substitution or Addition of Sheets of the International Application and of the Translation Thereof

Section 312: Notification of Decision Not to Issue Declaration that the International Application Is Considered Withdrawn

Section 313: Documents Filed with the International Application; Manner of Marking the Necessary Annotations in the Check List

Section 314: Correction or Addition of a Priority Claim under Rule 26bis

Section 315:  Processing of Documents by the Receiving Office under Rule 26bis.3(h‑bis)

Section 316: Procedure in the Case Where the International Application Lacks the Prescribed Signature

Section 317: Transmittal of a Notice of Correction or Addition of a Declaration under Rule 26ter.1

Section 317bis: Transmittal of a Notice of Correction or Addition of an indication under Rule 26quater.1

Section 318: Cancellation of Designations of Non-Contracting States

Section 319: Procedure under Rule 4.9(b)

Section 320: Invitation to Pay Fees under Rule 16bis.1(a)

Section 321: Application of Moneys Received by the Receiving Office in Certain Cases

Section 322: Invitation to Submit a Request for Refund of the Search Fee

Section 323: Transmittal of Priority Documents to International Bureau

Section 324: Copy of Notification of the International Application Number and the International Filing Date under Rule 20.2(c)

Section 325: Corrections of Defects under Rule 26.4 and Rectifications of Obvious Mistakes under Rule 91

Section 326: Withdrawal by Applicant under Rule 90bis.1, 90bis.2 or 90bis.3

Section 327: Ex Officio Correction of Request by the Receiving Office

Section 328: Notifications Concerning Representation

Section 329: Correction of Indications Concerning the Applicant's Residence or Nationality

Section 330: Transmittal of Record Copy Prevented or Delayed by National Security Prescriptions

Section 331: Receipt of Confirmation Copy

Section 332: Notification of Languages Accepted by the Receiving Office under Rules 12.1(a), (c) and (d) and 12.4(a)

Section 333: Transmittal of International Application to the International Bureau as Receiving Office

Section 334: Notification to Applicant of Submission of Demand after the Expiration of 19 Months from the Priority Date

Section 335:  Procedures Relating to Sequence Listings

Section 336: Waivers under Rules 90.4(d) and 90.5(c)

Section 337: [Deleted]

PART 4: INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO THE INTERNATIONAL BUREAU

Section 401: Marking of the Sheets of the Record Copy

Section 402: Correction or Addition of a Priority Claim under Rule 26bis

Section 403: Transmittal of Protest against Payment of Additional Fees and Decision Thereon Where International Application Is Considered to Lack Unity of Invention

Section 404: International Publication Number of International Application

Section 405: Publication of Notifications of Languages Accepted by the Receiving Office under Rules 12.1(a), (c) and (d) and 12.4(a)

Section 406: Publication of International Applications

Section 406bis: Suggested English Translation of the Title of the Invention

Section 407: The Gazette

Section 408: Priority Application Number

Section 409: Priority Claim Considered Not to Have Been Made

Section 410: Numbering of Sheets for the Purposes of International Publication; Procedure in Case of Missing or Erroneously Filed Sheets

Section 411: Receipt of Priority Document

Section 411bis: Receipt of Translation of Earlier Application under Rule 20.6(a)(iii)

Section 412: Notification of Lack of Transmittal of Search Copy

Section 413: Incorporations by Reference under Rule 20.6, Corrections of Defects under Rule 26.4 and Rectifications of Obvious Mistakes under Rule 91

Section 413bis: Rectifications of Obvious Mistakes under Rule 91

Section 414: Notification to the International Preliminary Examining Authority Where the International Application Is Considered Withdrawn

Section 415: Notification of Withdrawal under Rule 90bis.1, 90bis.2, 90bis.3, 90bis.3bis or 90bis.4

Section 416: Correction of Request in Record Copy

Section 417: Processing of Amendments under Article 19

Section 418: Notifications to Elected Offices Where the Demand Is Considered Not to Have Been Submitted or Made

Section 419: Processing of a Declaration under Rule 26ter

Section 419bis:  Processing of Corrections or Additions under Rule 26quater

Section 420:  Copy of International Application, International Search Report and Supplementary International Search Report for the International Preliminary Examining Authority

Section 420bis:  Communication of Other Documents to Elected Offices

Section 421: Invitation to Furnish a Copy of the Priority Document

Section 422: Notifications Concerning Changes Recorded under Rule 92bis.1

Section 422bis: Objections Concerning Changes in the Person of the Applicant Recorded under Rule 92bis.1(a)

Section 423: Cancellation of Designations and Elections

Section 424: Procedure under Rule 4.9(b)

Section 425: Notifications Concerning Representation

Sections 426 to 429: [Deleted]

Section 430: Notification of Designations under Rule 32

Section 431: Publication of Notice of Submission of Demand

Section 432: Notification to Applicant of Submission of Demand after the Expiration of 19 Months from the Priority Date

Section 433: Waivers under Rule 90.4(d)

Section 434: Publication of Information Concerning Waivers under Rules 90.4(d) and 90.5(c)

Section 435: Communication of Publications and Documents

Section 436:  Preparation, Identification and Transmittal of the Copies of the Translation of the International Application

PART 5: INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO THE INTERNATIONAL SEARCHING AUTHORITY

Section 501:   [Deleted]

Section 502: Transmittal of Protest against Payment of Additional Fees and Decision Thereon Where International Application Is Considered to Lack Unity of Invention

Section 503: Method of Identifying Documents Cited in the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority

Section 504: Classification of the Subject Matter of the International Application

Section 505: Indication of Citations of Particular Relevance in the International Search Report

Section 506: [Deleted]

Section 507: Manner of Indicating Certain Special Categories of Documents Cited in the International Search Report

Section 508: Manner of Indicating the Claims to Which the Documents Cited in the International Search Report Are Relevant

Section 509: International Search and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority on the Basis of a Translation of the International Application

Section 510: Refund of Search Fee in Case of Withdrawal of International Application

Section 511: Rectifications of Obvious Mistakes under Rule 91

Section 512: Notifications Concerning Representation

Section 513: Sequence Listings

Section 514: Authorized Officer

Section 515: Modification of Abstract in Response to Applicant's Comments

Section 516: Notification to Applicant of Submission of Demand after the Expiration of 19 Months from the Priority Date

Section 517: Waivers under Rules 90.4(d) and 90.5(c)

Section 518: Guidelines for Explanations Contained in the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority

Section 519:  Notification of Receipt of Copy of International Application for the Purposes of Supplementary International Search

Section 520:  Withdrawal by Applicant under Rule 90bis.3bis

Section 521:  Minimum Documentation

PART 6: INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO THE INTERNATIONAL PRELIMINARY EXAMINING AUTHORITY

Section 601: Notification to Applicant of Submission of Demand after the Expiration of 19 Months from the Priority Date

Section 602: Processing of Amendments by the International Preliminary Examining Authority

Section 602bis: Transmittal of Other Documents to the International Bureau under Rule 71.1(b)

Section 603: Transmittal of Protest against Payment of Additional Fees and Decision Thereon Where International Application Is Considered to Lack Unity of Invention

Section 604: Guidelines for Explanations Contained in the International Preliminary Examination Report

Section 605: File to Be Used for International Preliminary Examination

Section 606: Cancellation of Elections

Section 607: Rectifications of Obvious Mistakes under Rule 91

Section 608: Notifications Concerning Representation

Section 609: Withdrawal by Applicant under Rules 90bis.1, 90bis.2 or 90bis.3

Section 610: Sequence Listings

Section 611: Method of Identification of Documents in the International Preliminary Examination Report

Section 612: Authorized Officer

Section 613: Invitation to Submit a Request for Refund of Fees under Rule 57.4 or 58.3

Section 614: Evidence of Right to File Demand

Section 615: Invitation to Pay Fees before Date on Which They Are Due

Section 616: International Preliminary Examination on the Basis of a Translation of the International Application

Section 617: Waivers under Rules 90.4(d) and 90.5(c)

PART 7: INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO THE FILING AND PROCESSING IN ELECTRONIC FORM OF INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS

Section 701: Abbreviated Expressions

Section 702: Filing, Processing and Communication in Electronic Form of International Applications

Section 703: Filing Requirements; Basic Common Standard

Section 704: Receipt; International Filing Date; Signature; Physical Requirements

Section 705: Home Copy, Record Copy and Search Copy Where International Application Is Filed in Electronic Form

Section 705bis: Processing in Electronic Form of International Applications Filed on Paper

Section 705ter: Processing of International Applications Filed in or Scanned into Electronic Form in a Converted Electronic Format

Section 705quater: International Applications Resubmitted in Electronic Form

Section 706:  Documents in Pre-Conversion Format

Section 707: Calculation of International Filing Fee and Fee Reduction

Section 708: Special Provisions Concerning Legibility, Completeness, Infection by Viruses, Etc.

Section 709: Means of Communication with the Applicant

Section 710: Notification and Publication of Receiving Offices' Requirements and Practices

Section 711: Electronic Records Management

Section 712: Access to Electronic Records

Section 713: Application of Provisions to International Authorities and the International Bureau, and to Notifications, Communications, Correspondence and Other Documents

Section 714: Furnishing by the International Bureau of Copies of Documents Kept in Electronic Form; Designated Offices' Signature Requirements

Section 715:  Availability of Priority Documents from Digital Libraries

Section 716:  Request that Priority Document Be Obtained from a Digital Library under Rule 17.1(b-bis)

PART 8: INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO OBSERVATIONS BY THIRD PARTIES

Section 801: Third Party Observation System

Section 802: Filing of a Third Party Observation

Section 803: Availability of an Observation and Related Information

Section 804: Notification of Receipt of an Observation to the Applicant and Comments by the Applicant in Response to an Observation

Section 805: Communication of Observations and Comments to International Authorities and Designated Offices

ANNEX A: Forms

ANNEX B: Unity of Invention

ANNEX C: Instructions relating to the presentation of nucleotide and amino acid sequence listings in international patent applications under the PCT

ANNEX D: Information from Front Page of Published International Application to Be Included in the Gazette under Rule 86.1(i)

ANNEX E: Information to Be Published in the Gazette under Rule 86.1(v)

ANNEX F: Standard for the Electronic Filing and Processing of International Applications

ANNEX G: Notification of Receipt and Transfer of Fees

ANNEX H: Technical and Accessibility Requirements and Procedure for Inclusion of Patent and Utility Model Documents and Non-Patent Literature in the Minimum Documentation

Editor's Note: Table of Contents and Editor's Notes are added for the convenience of the reader; they do not form part of the Administrative Instructions.