What are Designated Offices (DO) and Elected Offices (EO) in the PCT system?
Designated Offices (DO) and Elected Offices (EO) are national or regional patent offices that process international applications in the national phase of the PCT procedure. According to the MPEP, The designated Office is the national Office (for example, the USPTO) acting for the state or region designated under Chapter I. Similarly, the elected Office is the national Office acting for the state or region elected under Chapter II.
Key points about Designated and Elected Offices:
- Designated Offices handle applications under PCT Chapter I
- Elected Offices handle applications under PCT Chapter II (if international preliminary examination is requested)
- Applicants must complete national stage entry requirements within specified time limits
- Most offices now allow 30 months from the priority date for national stage entry
The MPEP states, PCT Article 22(1) was amended, effective April 1, 2002, to specify that a copy of the international application, a translation thereof (as prescribed), and the national fee are due to the designated Office not later than at the expiration of 30 months from the priority date.
It’s important to note that some offices may have different time limits, and applicants should check the specific requirements for each country or region where they seek protection.
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