Regional phase entry date?

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AWFB
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2018 6:56 pm

Regional phase entry date?

Post by AWFB » Tue Apr 26, 2022 9:51 am

Hi,

Is there a way to determine the date of entry into the EP regional phase for a Euro-PCT application?
I can see that an EP application has been in the EP phase, but I can't seem to find a way to determine when it entered the EP phase.


EPO / PATSTAT Support
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Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:33 pm
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Re: Regional phase entry date?

Post by EPO / PATSTAT Support » Mon May 02, 2022 4:54 pm

There is no straight forward answer to your question because there is no single date that can be used as THE DATE of entry into the EP regional phase. The most obvious date would be the publication in the EPO bulletin ( Event code = 0009012 in PATSTAT Register: reg301_event_data; Publication in section I.1 EP Bulletin. This event takes place latest 2 to 3 months following the 31 month time limit.)
For valid entry into the European phase, a number of steps must be taken. There is a 31-month time limit from the date of filing of the international application or from the priority date for the below steps to be taken. So that date can be used as a general rule to set a date for entry into the European phase. (Some steps when not taken in time can be remedied, and the 31months can be longer.)

Generally spoken, the requirements that need to be fulfilled are :
  • Translation needs to be filed if the PCT was published in a language other than one of the official languages of the EPO (DE, EN, FR) (step_code = 'TRAN' -- Translation of the application)
  • National basic fee has to be paid; coded by FFEE
  • The request for examination has to be filed and examination fee paid (event _code = '0009171'; Request for examination filed)
  • Designation fees need to be paid (flat fee, coded by step_code = 'DEST')
  • The search fee (Rule 159(1)(e) EPC) needs to be paid in case a supplementary search report (step_code = 'SFEE' --Payment of the fee for supplementary search).
  • Renewal fee for third year need to be paid if already due
The above requirements can be analysed in PATSTAT Register when examining the event and procedural data tables.

Here are 2 further links that provide more general information (non-PATSTAT):
https://www.epo.org/applying/internatio ... _2_2.html
https://www.epo.org/applying/internatio ... c5_2.html
PATSTAT Support Team
EPO - Vienna
patstat @ epo.org


AWFB
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2018 6:56 pm

Re: Regional phase entry date?

Post by AWFB » Thu May 19, 2022 8:48 pm

Does event code 0009012 apply to applications where the EPO was the ISA? In those examples there is no republication.


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