Administrative Instructions under the Patent Cooperation Treaty

Section 217
Corrections Concerning Expressions, Etc., Not to Be Used
in the International Application under Rule 9.2

(a) Where the receiving Office, the International Searching Authority or the Authority specified for supplementary search receives corrections aimed at complying with Rule 9.1, it shall:

(i) indelibly mark, in the upper right-hand corner of each replacement sheet, the international application number and the date on which that sheet was received;

(ii) indelibly mark, in the middle of the bottom margin of each replacement sheet, the words "SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 9.2)" or their equivalent in the language of publication of the international application;

(iii) indelibly mark on the letter containing the correction or accompanying any replacement sheet the date on which that letter was received;

(iv) keep in its files a copy of the letter containing the correction or, when the correction is contained in a replacement sheet, the replaced sheet, a copy of the letter accompanying the replacement sheet, and a copy of the replacement sheet;

(v) unless the circumstances in item (vi) apply, promptly transmit any letter and any replacement sheet to the International Bureau and a copy thereof to the receiving Office, the International Searching Authority and the Authority specified for supplementary search, as applicable;

(vi) where transmittals under Article 12(1) have not yet been made, the receiving Office shall transmit any letter and any replacement sheet to the International Bureau together with the record copy and, except where the international application is considered withdrawn and Rule 29.1(iii) applies, a copy of the said letter or replacement sheet to the International Searching Authority together with the search copy. The record copy and the search copy shall contain any replaced sheet.

(b) Where the International Bureau receives corrections under paragraph (a) from the receiving Office, the International Searching Authority or the Authority specified for supplementary search, the International Bureau shall transfer the correction to the record copy, together with the indication of the date on which the Office or Authority received the letter, or shall insert the replacement sheet in the record copy. Any letter and any replaced sheet shall be kept in the file of the international application. Where the International Bureau receives corrections under paragraph (a) from the receiving Office or the International Searching Authority, it shall, where applicable, promptly transmit a copy of any letter and replacement sheet to the Authority specified for supplementary search.

(c) Where the International Bureau receives from the applicant corrections aimed at complying with Rule 9.1, it shall:

(i) indelibly mark, in the upper right-hand corner of each replacement sheet, the international application number and the date on which that sheet was received;

(ii) indelibly mark, in the middle of the bottom margin of each replacement sheet, the words "SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 9.2)" or their equivalent in the language of publication of the international application;

(iii) indelibly mark on the letter containing the correction or accompanying any replacement sheet the date on which that letter was received;

(iv) keep in its files the letter containing the correction or, when the correction is contained in a replacement sheet, the replaced sheet, the letter accompanying the replacement sheet and, the replacement sheet;

(v) promptly transmit a copy of any letter and any replacement sheet to the receiving Office, the International Searching Authority and the Authority specified for supplementary search, as applicable.