PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination Guidelines

PART VIII CLERICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

Chapter 22 Clerical and Administrative Procedures

Use of Facsimile Machine, Telegraph, Teleprinter, Etc.

Rule 92.4(d), (e)

22.50 Where the furnishing of the original of a document is required as confirmation by the International Searching Authority, the Authority specified for supplementary search, or the International Preliminary Examining Authority of the document that was transmitted by facsimile, telegraph, teleprinter or other like means of communication, but the original of a document signed by the applicant or his agent is not received, within 14 days, an invitation is sent to the applicant inviting him to comply with the requirement within a time limit which must be reasonable (optionally using Form PCT/ISA/230 or Form PCT/IPEA/434, as the case may be). The original document does not need to be submitted as confirmation unless the original is required by the Authority.

Rules 92.1(b), 92.4(g)(ii)

22.51 If the applicant does not comply with the invitation within the time limit, the International Searching Authority, the Authority specified for supplementary search, or the International Preliminary Examining Authority notifies the applicant that the document is considered not to have been submitted (optionally using Form PCT/ISA/232 or Form PCT/IPEA/438, as the case may be).