What is an “elected Office” in the context of PCT Demand notifications?
In the context of PCT Demand notifications, an “elected Office” refers to a national or regional patent office that the applicant has chosen (or “elected”) for potential patent protection through the international preliminary examination process. This concept is mentioned in MPEP 1869, which states:
“Each elected Office shall be notified of its election.”
Key points about elected Offices:
- They are patent offices in countries or regions where the applicant may seek patent protection.
- The applicant designates these offices when filing the Demand for International Preliminary Examination.
- Elected Offices receive notification from the International Bureau about their election.
- This notification informs the elected Offices that they may be required to process the international application in the national phase.
The concept of elected Offices is crucial in the PCT system as it allows applicants to indicate their intent to pursue patent protection in specific jurisdictions while benefiting from the international preliminary examination process.
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