INTERNATIONAL TREATIES
PCT
Twenty-Eighth (16th Extraordinary) PCT Assembly - (13 - 17 March 2000)
A number of amendments to the PCT regulations were adopted at the last meeting of the PCT Assembly and will enter into force on 1 March 2001. Most of the amendments are intended to streamline and simplify the procedures for satisfying national law requirements, in particular the furnishing of declarations, which from 1 March 2001 may be filed together with the international application for transmission by WIPO to the relevant designated offices. A detailed summary of the most important changes is contained in PCT newsletter 04/2000.
It should be noted however that new rule 51 bis.1(e) PCT, also due to enter into force on 1 March 2001, which limits the right of a designated office to require a translation of the priority document, is not consistent with Article 88 (1) EPC and consequently, as envisaged by new rule 51 bis.1(f) PCT, the EPO has notified WIPO that this provision will not be applied by it.