Administrative Instructions under the Patent Cooperation Treaty

Section 310ter
Procedure in the Case of Later Submitted Sheets
Furnished after the Expiration of the Applicable Time Limit Referred to in Rule 20.7

Where later submitted sheets referred to in Sections 309(a) or 310(a) are received after the expiration of the applicable time limit referred to in Rule 20.7, the receiving Office shall:

(i) notify the applicant of the fact and of the date of receipt of the later submitted sheets, and of the fact that they will not be considered for the PCT procedure;

(ii) indelibly mark, in the middle of the bottom margin of each sheet containing the missing or correct element or part concerned, the words "NOT TO BE CONSIDERED (RULE 20.7)", or their equivalent in the language of publication of the international application;

(iii) keep in its files a copy of the later submitted sheets marked under item (ii) and, where applicable, of the notice under Rule 20.6(a);

(iv) where transmittals under Article 12(1) have already been made, notify the International Bureau accordingly, and transmit the later submitted sheets marked under item (ii) and, where applicable, the notice under Rule 20.6(a) to the said Bureau;

(v) where transmittals under Article 12(1) have not yet been made, notify the International Bureau accordingly, and attach the later submitted sheets marked under item (ii) and, where applicable, the notice under Rule 20.6(a) to the record copy.