PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination Guidelines

PART VIII CLERICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

Chapter 22 Clerical and Administrative Procedures

Language

Rules 23.1(b), 55.2, 62bis.1

22.27 Where neither the language in which the international application is filed nor the language in which the international application is published is accepted by the International Preliminary Examining Authority, the applicant must furnish with the demand a translation of the international application into a language in which the international preliminary examination may be carried out, that is, a language which is both a language accepted by that Authority and a language of publication. This translation must include any element referred to in Article 11(1)(iii)(d) or (e) furnished by the applicant under Rule 20.3(b), 20.5bis(b), 20.5bis(c) or 20.6(a) and any part of the description, claims or drawings furnished by the applicant under Rule 20.5(b), 20.5(c), 20.5bis(b), 20.5bis(c) or 20.6(a) which is considered to have been contained in the international application under Rule 20.6(b). Where a translation into such a language has already been furnished to the International Searching Authority under Rule 23.1(b) and the International Preliminary Examining Authority is part of the same national Office or intergovernmental organization as the International Searching Authority, the international preliminary examination is carried out on the basis of that translation, unless the applicant furnishes a translation to the International Preliminary Examining Authority as outlined above. Upon request of the International Preliminary Examining Authority, the written opinion established by the International Searching Authority, when not in English or a language accepted by the International Preliminary Examining Authority, will be translated into English by or under the responsibility of the International Bureau. The International Bureau will forward a copy of the translation of the written opinion within two months from the date of request.