/check-pct-formalities

PCT Formalities Check

Verify all formal requirements for a PCT international application under PCT Rules 5-12.

Check Type: $ARGUMENTS

What I'll Check

1. Request Form (Rule 4 PCT) - Form PCT/RO/101, designations, priority claims
2. Description (Rule 5 PCT) - Required sections, manner of description
3. Claims (Rule 6 PCT) - Numbering, form, unity of invention (Rule 13 PCT)
4. Abstract (Rule 8 PCT) - Max 150 words, figure designation
5. Drawings (Rule 11 PCT) - Technical standards, margins, paper size
6. Sequence Listings (Rule 12 PCT) - If applicable (WIPO Standard ST.26)
7. Physical Requirements (Rule 11 PCT) - Paper, margins, font, numbering
8. Unity of Invention (Rule 13 PCT) - Single general inventive concept
9. Fees - International filing fee, search fee, transmittal fee
10. Language (Rule 12 PCT) - Accepted languages per Receiving Office

Specified check type focuses on that requirement; otherwise checks everything.

Process

1. Ask for application sections (or read from file)
2. Check each PCT formality requirement
3. Search PCT rules and Administrative Instructions
4. Generate compliance report with:
   • Requirements checklist per rule
   • Non-compliance issues with rule citations
   • Fix instructions
   • Pre-filing checklist for PCT

PCT-Specific Requirements

Request (Rule 4 PCT)

• Form PCT/RO/101
• Title of invention (same as description)
• Applicant details (name, address, nationality, residence)
• Agent/representative details (if applicable)
• Designation of states (all states designated automatically since 2004)
• Priority claims (within 12 months, certified copy required)
• Inventor details
• Choice of International Searching Authority (ISA)
• Reference to deposited biological material (if applicable)

Description (Rule 5 PCT)

Required sections in order:

1. Title of the invention
2. Technical field
3. Background art
4. Disclosure of the invention (technical problem and solution)
5. Brief description of drawings (if any)
6. Best mode for carrying out the invention
7. Industrial applicability
8. Sequence listing (if applicable, WIPO Standard ST.26 XML format)

Claims (Rule 6 PCT)

• Numbered consecutively in Arabic numerals
• Clear and concise
• Fully supported by description
• Independent claims: define essential features
• Dependent claims: reference and further limit
• Multiple independent claims allowed (but unity required)
• Unity of invention (Rule 13): single general inventive concept

Abstract (Rule 8 PCT)

• Maximum 150 words
• Summary of disclosure including technical field, problem, solution
• Must designate most illustrative figure
• Not used for interpreting scope of protection
• May be amended by ISA

Drawings (Rule 11 PCT)

• A4 paper (29.7cm x 21cm)
• Minimum margins: top 2.5cm, left 2.5cm, right 1.5cm, bottom 1cm
• Usable area: 26.2cm x 17cm
• Black, sufficiently dense, well-defined lines
• Reference signs in description must correspond to drawings
• Figures numbered consecutively (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, ...)

Physical Requirements (Rule 11 PCT)

• A4 paper, one side only
• Minimum line spacing: 1.5
• Minimum font size: large enough to be reproduced (typically 12pt)
• Page numbering: consecutive, centered at top or bottom
• Left margin: 2.5cm minimum
• Sheet numbering for each element

Unity of Invention (Rule 13 PCT)

• Single general inventive concept
• Linking technical feature test
• Special technical features distinguishing from prior art
• If unity lacking: ISA may invite additional search fees

Report Structure

PCT FORMALITIES COMPLIANCE REPORT
====================================

Application: [Title]
Date: [Date]
Receiving Office: [RO/XX]
International Searching Authority: [ISA/XX]

Summary:
--------
- Requirements Checked: 56
- Compliant: 48
- Non-Compliant: 6
- Warnings: 2

STATUS: CORRECTIONS NEEDED BEFORE FILING

REQUEST (Rule 4 PCT):
======================

[PASS] Form PCT/RO/101 complete
[PASS] Applicant details (name, address, nationality)
[PASS] Title matches description
[PASS] All states designated (automatic since 2004)
[FAIL] Priority claim missing certified copy reference
  -> Rule 17.1 PCT: Certified copy of priority
     document must be furnished within 16 months from
     priority date
  -> Fix: Indicate priority document will be furnished
     or request DAS access code
[PASS] Inventor designation complete
[PASS] ISA selected

DESCRIPTION (Rule 5 PCT):
===========================

[PASS] Title present
[PASS] Technical field identified
[PASS] Background art described
[PASS] Invention disclosed with problem-solution
[PASS] Drawings briefly described
[FAIL] Best mode not clearly identified
  -> Rule 5.1(a)(v) PCT: "best mode contemplated
     by the applicant for carrying out the invention"
  -> Fix: Add paragraph identifying preferred embodiment
     as best mode
[PASS] Industrial applicability stated

CLAIMS (Rule 6 PCT):
======================

[PASS] Numbered consecutively
[PASS] Supported by description
[PASS] Independent claims define essential features
[PASS] Dependent claims properly reference
[WARN] Potential unity issue: Claims 1 and 12 may
  lack common special technical feature
  -> Rule 13.1 PCT: "relate to one invention only
     or to a group of inventions so linked as to form
     a single general inventive concept"
  -> Note: ISA may raise unity objection and invite
     additional search fees

ABSTRACT (Rule 8 PCT):
========================

[PASS] Word count: 138 (max 150)
[FAIL] No figure designated
  -> Rule 8.1(b) PCT: "applicant shall indicate the
     figure which should accompany the abstract"
  -> Fix: Add figure designation to abstract page
[PASS] Technical field indicated
[PASS] Concise summary of disclosure

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (Rule 11 PCT):
======================================

[PASS] A4 paper format
[PASS] Margins within specification
[PASS] Line spacing: 1.5 or greater
[FAIL] Page numbering not consecutive across elements
  -> Rule 11.7 PCT: Sheets shall be numbered in
     consecutive Arabic numerals
  -> Fix: Number all sheets consecutively
[PASS] Text legible and reproducible

DRAWINGS (Rule 11 PCT):
=========================

[PASS] Margins within specification
[PASS] Reference signs consistent with description
[WARN] Fig. 5 line weight may be too light for reproduction
  -> Rule 11.13 PCT: "lines and strokes shall be
     drawn without the aid of instruments but must be
     sufficiently dense and dark"
  -> Recommendation: Increase line weight

UNITY OF INVENTION (Rule 13 PCT):
====================================

[PASS] Single general inventive concept identified
[NOTE] Claims span system (Cl. 1-10) and method (Cl. 11-20)
  -> These share the special technical feature of [X]
  -> Unity is maintained

FEES CALCULATION (RO/US):
===========================

Transmittal fee (USPTO as RO): USD 280
International filing fee: CHF 1,330 (~USD 1,530)
  Electronic filing reduction: -CHF 200
  Net filing fee: CHF 1,130 (~USD 1,300)
Search fee (ISA/EP): EUR 1,775 (~USD 1,950)
  or Search fee (ISA/US): USD 2,680
Additional page fee: USD 0 (within 30-page limit)
Additional claims fee: USD 0 (within 15-claim limit)
---
Estimated total at filing: USD 3,560 - 4,230

KEY DEADLINES:
===============

Filing date + 12 months: Priority period expires
Filing date + 16 months: Furnish priority document
Filing date + 18 months: International publication
Filing date + 22 months: ISA preliminary examination demand deadline
Filing date + 30/31 months: National/regional phase entry deadline

FILING CHECKLIST:
==================

[x] Request form PCT/RO/101
[x] Description with all Rule 5 sections
[x] Claims (numbered, proper form)
[ ] Abstract with designated figure (NEEDS FIX)
[x] Drawings (A4, proper margins)
[ ] Page numbering (NEEDS FIX)
[ ] Priority document certified copy
[ ] Fee payment (transmittal + filing + search)
[x] Power of attorney (if using agent)
[ ] Sequence listing in ST.26 XML (if applicable)

NEXT STEPS:
============

1. Fix 6 non-compliance items listed above
2. Address 2 warnings (recommended)
3. Select Receiving Office (RO) and ISA
4. Prepare fee payment
5. File via ePCT (WIPO online filing system)
6. Mark 30/31 month deadline for national phase entry

Output

• Section-by-section compliance status
• Issues with PCT rule citations
• Fee calculation per Receiving Office
• Key deadline calendar
• Filing preparation checklist
• Unity of invention assessment

PCT vs Direct National Filing

Aspect	PCT	Direct EP	Direct US
Scope	157 countries	39 EPC states	US only
Decision deadline	30/31 months	Filing date	Filing date
Search	ISA report	EP search	USPTO search
Cost at filing	~USD 3,500-4,200	~EUR 2,595	~USD 1,820
Advantage	Delays national costs	Faster EP grant	Fastest US grant

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DISCLAIMER: This tool assists with patent application preparation but does NOT replace legal advice from a registered patent attorney or agent. Always consult with legal counsel before filing. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WIPO or any patent office.