WIPO updates ePCT system

WIPO has recently updated its ePCT system, with the new version 4.15 deployed on March 19, 2025 (version 4.15). The latest version brings more advantages to applicants and national PCT receiving and designated offices, with new notification methods, operational functions, and more process automation, including:

• New notification method – ePCT
  • In addition to the existing “e-mail with PDF attachment” notification method, a new “ePCT” notification method has been introduced. The International Bureau (IB) and other PCT competent authorities can provide applicants with direct links to view and download relevant forms and documents through ePCT.
  • The online process for automatically processing change requests under PCT Rule 92bis is fully automated. Once the request has been submitted, Form PCT/IB/306 will be issued shortly, unless manual review is required in individual cases. The process for submitting and completing this process has not changed, the only change is that the content of the request submitted through the process is attached to Form PCT/IB/306.
  • A new standalone declaration of inventors (for the U.S. only) is now available as a separate online action in a filed international application. Previously, the declaration of inventors was part of the "Submit a declaration under rule 4.17" action, but it is now separated from it, and the "Rule 4.17 Declaration" action only includes the other four declaration types.
• Other improvements
  • When creating a new international application, the authority document will be uploaded in DOCX format by default if accepted by the receiving Office, but you can still choose another format if needed.
  • For users who have difficulty downloading large TIFF-format PDF files, a new "Enhanced Document Download" feature has been added, which allows downloading a ZIP archive containing PDF files and TIFF images in "More".
  • Unpublished international applications also have access to XML versions of the ISR/WOSA files. Links are located in the application header, data section, and document section.
• Added disclaimer
  • Rule 92bis Change Request: If a change request is submitted after the technical preparations for international publication have been completed, a disclaimer will appear in ePCT informing the user that the changes will not be reflected in the international publication.
  • Retrieving the priority document from DAS: If this operation is performed on or after the publication date, a disclaimer will appear in ePCT informing the user that although the International Bureau will retrieve the priority document from DAS, the document does not comply with PCT Rule 17.1 (b-bis).

New changes brought by ePCT to receiving offices and designated offices of various countries

• Receiving Office (RO):
  • Introduction of ePCT notifications, allowing applicants to access PCT forms issued by the International Bureau/Office via a link
  • Optimize the upload and download functions of large TIFF format PDF files
  • Expanded access to XML versions of ISR/WOSA documents for unpublished IAs
• International Searching Authority (ISA):
  • IPC upload function improved to allow batch upload of IPC classification codes via CSV files
  • Optimize the interface for adding ISR citation categories (D, P, O, &)
  • ISA users can upload XML versions of ISRs, WOSAs and documents under Article 17(2)(a) to the International Bureau
  • Start an international search task. If the IB has received an ISR/WOSA, it will be closed automatically, regardless of whether the report was generated by ePCT, uploaded or transmitted via EDI.
• International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA):
  • IPEA can now create Form PCT/IPEA/407 via ePCT (currently only available in English and Chinese, other publication languages will be covered in the future)
  • New operation for creating PCT/IPEA/440 forms (also currently only supported in English and Chinese)
  • IPEA forms issued via ePCT will be sent to the Chapter II agent (if any), not the Chapter I agent
• Designated Office (DO):
  • Improved data for national phase entry. When multiple divisional applications for the same IA are transmitted to the International Bureau via ePCT, M2M or EDI, the system will now retain all of them and display each event separately, consistent with the display in PATENTSCOPE.