Patents

If a previously filed PCT application designates the European Patent Office, the European regional phase of the application has to be entered within 31 months of the earliest priority date irrespective of whether the PCT application proceeded via Chapter I or Chapter II.

In order to enter the European regional phase of a PCT application we would look to receive the following:

• Date of priority application(s) (if applicable)
• The PCT application number and filing date
• If available, the European application number allocated by the European Patent Office (on Form 1201)
• A list of the EPC contracting states and extension states to be covered during the European Regional Phase
• Confirmation of the International Searching Authority and where appropriate the International Preliminary Examining Authority

Preferably, we should also receive:

• Full name and address of applicant(s)
• Details of any amendments under PCT Article 19 or Article 39

For our own file it is useful to have:

• A full copy of the specification, claims and drawings of the PCT application as published
• Country and number of the priority application(s)(if applicable)