Friday, May 26, 2017

July 2017 Revision of Patent Cooperation Treaty Procedures

The Federal Register, Vol. 81, Number 101 (Friday, May 26, 2017) [Pages 24249-24253] presents the following final rule:
SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is amending the rules of practice to implement certain amendments made to the Regulations under the Patent[[Page 24250]]Cooperation Treaty (PCT) that will take effect on July 1, 2017, concerning the transmittal by a Receiving Office to an International Searching Authority of documents relating to an earlier search or classification.
DATES:

Effective date: This rule is effective July 1, 2017.


Applicability date: The changes in this final rule apply to international applications having an international filing date on or after July 1, 2017.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Boris Milef, Senior Legal Examiner,International Patent Legal Administration, at (571) 272-3288.