GA C2.24.5 2.24.5. | XEPC: EPC and PCT resource

When do fee reductions apply?

2.24.017

The international filing fee is reduced by 90% if the requirements stipulated in point 5 of the PCT Schedule of Fees are met. If there are several applicants, each of them must satisfy the requirements for the reduction to apply.

Point 5 PCT Schedule of Fees

WIPO PCT Guide 5.188

PCT Newsletter 6/2015, 13

PCT Newsletter

7-8/2015, 5

2.24.018

In respect of applicants entitled to file an international application with the EPO as receiving Office (see point 2.1.002), the reduction applies if the applicant is a natural person who is a national of and resides in one of the following states: Albania (AL), Bulgaria (BG), Croatia (HR), Cyprus (CY), Czech Republic (CZ), Estonia (EE), Greece (GR), Hungary (HU), Latvia (LV), Lithuania (LT), Malta (MT), North Macedonia (MK), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), Romania (RO), Serbia (RS), Slovakia (SK), Slovenia (SI), Turkey (TR). On 1 January 2020, these EPC/PCT contracting states fell within the criteria of point 5(a) of the PCT Schedule of Fees.

2.24.019

If the application is filed by more than one applicant, only one must be a national and resident of one of the EPC/PCT contracting states listed above, but each applicant must fulfil the criteria mentioned under point 5 of the PCT Schedule of Fees.

2.24.020

A list of states whose nationals/residents may satisfy the requirements for a reduction is published in the PCT Newsletter.

2.24.021

With the EPO acting as receiving Office, there is a reduction in the international filing fee if the application is filed in electronic form (see point 2.2.003). The level of the reduction depends on the format in which the application is filed (PDF or XML format).

WIPO PCT Guide 5.189

2.24.022

The PCT request form contains a Fee Calculation Sheet which applicants are asked to use for calculating fees. For possible reductions of the international search and preliminary examination fees when the EPO acts as ISA and/or IPEA, see points 3.1.024 and 4.1.060.

Source: http://www.epo.org/applying/international/guide-for-applicants/html/e/ga_c2_24_5.html

Date retrieved: 17 May 2021