China’s IP Office Introduces Electronic Filing of International Patent Applications

GENEVA - The State Intellectual Property Office of China (SIPO) became on May 1, 2007, the most recent office to introduce software that enables electronic filing of international patent applications under the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

According to a press release by WIPO, this software, known as PCT-SAFE (Secure Applications Filed Electronically), has been available to PCT users for some time in a number of other Intellectual Property (IP) offices, including, Australia, Denmark, the European Patent Office (EPO), Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Companies and inventors seeking patent protection in multiple countries have been able to electronically file their international application under the PCT with WIPO as receiving office since February 2004.

The integration of PCT-SAFE into the operations of SIPO will enable Chinese applicants to prepare and file PCT applications in electronic format. This will generate operational efficiencies by significantly reducing the need to handle paper and by eliminating the use of traditional mail for filing. Applicants will also enjoy significant benefits, including:

• Fee reductions in certain cases;

• Reduced printing, copying and mailing costs of applications;

• Almost immediate notification that their application has been received and is being processed;

• Secure transmission of international applications.