Administrative Instructions under the Patent Cooperation Treaty

Section 713
Application of Provisions to International Authorities 
and the International Bureau, and to Notifications, 
Communications, Correspondence and Other Documents28

(a)  The provisions of this Part, other than Sections 703(c), 704(c) to (g), 707, 708(b)(iii) to (v), 710(a)(iv) and 714(b), shall, if they are capable of applying but do not expressly apply to the International Searching Authorities, the International Preliminary Examining Authorities and the International Bureau, apply mutatis mutandis to those Authorities and that Bureau.29

(b)  The provisions of this Part, other than Sections 703(c), 704(c) to (f), 705, 707, 708(b)(iii) to (v) and 710(a)(iv), shall, if they are capable of applying but do not expressly apply to notifications, communications, correspondence or other documents relating to international applications that are filed, processed or communicated in electronic form, apply mutatis mutandis to such notifications, communications, correspondence or other documents relating to international applications.

28.  Editor's Note: Provisions of Part 7 and Annex F relating to the form or contents of the international application would automatically, by virtue of Article 27(1), be applicable to designated Offices. Communications between applicants and designated Offices would not, however, be governed in general by Annex F.

29.  Editor's Note: In relation to Sections 703(a) and 710, an Office acting in more than one capacity (receiving Office, International Searching Authority and/or International Preliminary Examining Authority) would give separate notices to the International Bureau, in each capacity, as to its readiness to receive and process international applications in electronic form.