This site provides useful information for applicants that wish to take advantage of the electronic priority document exchange (PDX) program. Use of PDX avoids the fee associated with ordering a certified priority document for each office of subsequent filing and the costs of transmitting those certified copies to foreign associates or foreign intellectual property (IP) offices. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) transmits certain U.S. priority applications as-filed to any foreign IP office that participates in the priority document exchange program (participating office) and retrieves/accesses certain foreign priority applications as-filed from the participating offices. For U.S. applications filed on or after January 01, 2022, the priority document exchange program is exclusively managed under the World Intellectual Property Organization Digital Access Service (WIPO DAS) Exchange.
- Overview of participation by the USPTO
- Access to U.S. applications by the participating offices
- Retrieval of foreign priority applications by the USPTO
- Practice tips for priority document exchange
- Announcements
- Forms
- More WIPO DAS Exchange Information
- Support
Overview of participation by the USPTO
The USPTO exchanges priority documents with other foreign IP offices via the WIPO DAS Exchange (see WIPO DAS Exchange with Participating Offices below).
Access to U.S. applications by participating offices
AUTHORIZATION TO PERMIT ACCESS
Access to a U.S. priority application may be provided to a participating office pursuant to 37 CFR 1.14(h)(1) if the application contains written authority granting such access. The ADS form (PTO/AIA/14) includes a section allowing applicants to provide the USPTO with authorization to permit a participating office access to a U.S. priority application. To be effective, the ADS form containing the appropriate authorization language must be properly signed and be submitted with the filing of the U.S. priority application.
Please note that an ADS submitted after the filing of an application CANNOT be used to provide or rescind the authorization to permit access. Instead, applicants should use form PTO/SB/39 (or an applicant-generated equivalent) to provide or rescind the authorization for access under 37 CFR 1.14(h)(1) after the filing of the application.
FILING RECEIPT INDICATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO PERMIT ACCESS
The filing receipt of the U.S. application will indicate whether applicant has provided written authority for access pursuant to 37 CFR 1.14(h)(1). Applicants should inspect the application filing receipt and request a corrected filing receipt if authorization for access under 37 CFR 1.14(h)(1) was incorrectly captured.
LIMITATIONS OF AUTHORIZATION
An authorization to permit access will not be recorded in international applications filed with the United States Receiving Office (RO/US). Therefore, for these applications, the applicant must use alternative methods to obtain and transmit the certified copies to foreign IP offices.
ACCESS VIA WIPO DAS EXCHANGE
For WIPO DAS accessing offices where a subsequently filed application claims priority to an earlier filed U.S. application in which authorization for access is given, the applicant must provide the U.S. application number, filing date, and the WIPO DAS access code (i.e., the 4-digit confirmation number indicated on the filing receipt and electronic acknowledgement receipt of the U.S. application).
The International Bureau, in its capacity as a WIPO DAS accessing office, may access U.S. applications in which authorization for access is given. Therefore, for international applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), irrespective of the receiving office chosen, an applicant may request the IB to retrieve via the WIPO DAS Exchange a copy of an earlier U.S. application to which priority is claimed and in which authorization for access is given (PCT Rule 17.1(b-bis)). In such case, the applicant must claim priority to the earlier U.S. application and provide the WIPO DAS access code (i.e., the 4-digit confirmation number) for the earlier U.S. application (see Box No. VI of the Request (Form PCT/RO/101)).
NOTE: For international applications filed with the RO/US, the applicant should check the appropriate item in Box No. VI of the Request (Form PCT/RO/101) to request the RO/US to prepare and transmit to the International Bureau a certified copy of any earlier U.S. application to which priority is claimed (PCT Rule 17.1(b)). This service is independent from the PDX program.
Retrieval of foreign priority applications by the USPTO
WIPO DAS EXCHANGE WITH PARTICIPATING OFFICES
By notification on April 20, 2009, the USPTO expanded its PDX program by agreement with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to participate in the multilateral exchange of certain priority documents with other IP offices participating in the WIPO Digital Access Service (DAS) for Priority Documents. The list of WIPO DAS participating offices and information concerning the scope of available priority documents are maintained by the WIPO.
For successful retrieval, it is important that the foreign priority claim identify the country/office code and the foreign priority application number in the recommended format.
The participating offices, the types of applications that may be available for retrieval by the USPTO from each participating office, and the recommended application number formats for each participating office are set forth in the table below:
COUNTRY | COUNTRY CODE | IP TYPE | NUMBER FORMAT |
---|---|---|---|
Argentina | AR | Patent | PYYYY01NNNNN |
Utility Model | MYYYY01NNNNN | ||
Industrial Design | DYYYYNNNNN | ||
Australia | AU | Patent | YYYYNNNNNN |
Industrial Design | YYYYNNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/AUYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Austria | AT | Patent | A NNNNN/YYYY |
Utility Model | GM NNNNN/YYYY | ||
Industrial Design | MU NNNN/YYYY | ||
PCT International | PCT/ATYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Belgium | BE | Patent | YYYY/NNNN |
Brazil | BR | Patent | 10YYYYNNNNNNN |
Industrial Design | BR30YYYYNNNNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/BRYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Canada | CA | Patent | NNNNNNN |
Industrial Design | NNNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/CAYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Chile | CL | Patent | NNNNN-YYYY YYYYNNNNN |
Utility Model | NNNN-YYYY YYYYNNNNN | ||
Industrial Design | NNNN-YYYY YYYYNNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/CLYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
China | CN | Patent | YYYY1NNNNNNN.X |
Utility Model | YYYY2NNNNNNN.X | ||
Industrial Design | YYYY3NNNNNNN.X | ||
PCT International | PCT/CNYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Colombia | CO | Patent | NCYYYY/NNNNNNN |
Utility Model | NCYYYY/NNNNNNN | ||
Industrial Design | NCYYYY/NNNNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/COYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Cuba | CU | Patent | CU/P/YYYY/NNNNNN |
Utility Model | CU/U/YYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Industrial Design | CU/I/YYYY/NNNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/CUYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Denmark | DK | Patent | PA YYYY NNNNN |
Utility Model | BA YYYY NNNNN | ||
Industrial Design | DA YYYY NNNNN GD YYYY NNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/DKYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Estonia | EE | Patent | PYYYYNNNNN |
Utility Model | UYYYYNNNNN | ||
Eurasian Patent Organization | EA | Patent | NNNNNNNNN |
Industrial Design | YYYY4NNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/EAYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
European Patent Office (EPO) | EP | Patent | YYNNNNNN |
PCT International | PCT/EPYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
European Union Intellectual Property Office | EM | Industrial Design | NNNNNNNNN-NNNN |
Finland | FI | Patent | YYYYNNNN |
Utility Model | UYYYYNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/FIYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
France | FR | Patent | FRYYNNNNN |
Utility Model | YYNNNNN | ||
Industrial Design | YYYYNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/FRYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Georgia | GE | Patent | AP YYYYNNNNN |
Utility Model | AU YYYYNNNNN | ||
Industrial Design | AD YYYYNNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/GEYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Germany | DE | Patent | 10 YYYY NNN NNN.N |
Utility Model | 20 YYYY NNN NNN.N | ||
PCT International | PCT/DEYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
India | IN | Patent | YYYYNNNNNNNN |
Industrial Design | NNNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/INYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization | IB (Practice Tip #5) | Industrial Design | WIPONNNNN WIPONNNNNN NNNNNNNNN |
PCT International | PCT/IBYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Iran (Islamic Republic of) | IR | Patent | YYYY50140030NNNNN |
PCT International | PCT/IRYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Israel | IL | Patent | NNNNNN |
Industrial Design | NNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/ILYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Italy | IT | Patent | 10YYYYNNNNNNNNN |
Utility Model | 20YYYYNNNNNNNNN | ||
Industrial Design | 40YYYYNNNNNNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/ITYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Japan | JP | Patent | YYYY-NNNNNN |
Utility Model | YYYY-NNNNNN U | ||
Industrial Design | YYYY-NNNNNN D | ||
PCT International | PCT/JPYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Korea (Republic of) | KR | Patent | 10-YYYY-NNNNNNN |
Utility Model | 20-YYYY-NNNNNNN | ||
Industrial Design | 30-YYYY-NNNNNNN | ||
Latvia | LV | Patent | PYYYYNNNNNN |
Lithuania | LT | Patent | YYYYNNN |
Industrial Design | YYYYNNN | ||
Mexico | MX | Patent | MX/A/YYYY/NNNNNN |
Utility Model | MX/U/YYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Industrial Design | MX/F/YYYY/NNNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/MXYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Monaco | MC | Patent | NNNN |
Industrial Design | NNNNN | ||
Morocco | MA | Patent | NNNNN |
PCT International | PCT/MAYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Netherlands | NL | Patent | NNNNNNN |
PCT International | PCT/NLYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
New Zealand | NZ | Patent | NNNNNN |
Norway | NO | Patent | YYYYNNNN |
Industrial Design | YYYYNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/NOYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Peru | PE | Patent | NNNNNN-YYYY |
Utility Model | NNNNNN-YYYY | ||
Industrial Design | NNNNNN-YYYY | ||
PCT International | PCT/PEYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Spain | ES | Patent | PYYYYNNNNN |
Utility Model | UYYYYNNNNN | ||
Industrial Design | DNNNNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/ESYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Sweden | SE | Patent | YYNNNNN YYNNNNN-N |
PCT International | PCT/SEYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Switzerland | CH | Patent | CHNNNNNN/YYYY |
Industrial Design | CHYYYY-NNNNN | ||
Türkiye | TR | Patent | YYYY/NNNNNN |
Utility Model | YYYY/NNNNNN | ||
Industrial Design | YYYY/NNNNNN | ||
PCT International | PCT/TRYYYY/NNNNNN | ||
United Kingdom | GB | Patent | YYNNNNN.X |
NOTE: The legacy Direct Bilateral Exchange mode (where retrieval was managed outside of the WIPO DAS and was based on the foreign priority claim information) only applies to EP applications to which priority is claimed in a U.S. application filed before January 01, 2022. For U.S. applications filed on or after January 01, 2022, successful retrieval of an EP application to which priority is claimed will require the EP application to be registered into the WIPO DAS exchange and the WIPO DAS access code must be provided to the USPTO.
For U.S. applications filed prior to January 01, 2022, the WIPO DAS access code will not be required; however, effective June 30, 2023, the USPTO will be unable to retrieve EP priority applications without a WIPO DAS access code. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to review U.S. applications filed prior to January 01, 2022, that claim priority to an EP application for which a WIPO DAS access code was not provided, to enable successful retrieval by the USPTO of the EP priority application.
RETRIEVAL PROCESS
The retrieval process for electronic priority document exchange includes several practice tips that will help applicants promptly identify potential problems. If retrieval fails applicants remain responsible for the submission of the certified copy of the foreign application.
For foreign applications filed in a participating foreign IP office to which priority is properly claimed in a U.S. application and the corresponding WIPO DAS access code is provided, retrieval will be automatically attempted by the USPTO via the WIPO DAS Exchange when the U.S. application is released from the Office of Patent Application Processing. The “Foreign Priority Information” section of the ADS form includes an Access Code field for providing the required WIPO DAS access code.
A separate written request to retrieve is required under 37 CFR 1.55(i)(4) where a certified copy of a foreign application (to which priority is claimed in a U.S. application) filed in a nonparticipating foreign IP office is contained in an EP or JP application file. The applicant must use form PTO/SB/38 (or an applicant-generated equivalent) to identify the EP or JP application as well as the nonparticipating office certified copy contained in that EP or JP application file. For example, where the applicant claims priority to a DE (German Patent and Trademark Office) application, a certified copy of which is contained in an EP application the applicant can file form PTO/SB/38 and, under Option A of that form, request the USPTO to obtain from the EP application file (indicate the country, application number, and filing date) an electronic copy of the certified copy of the DE application (indicate the country and application number).
FILING RECEIPT INDICATION THAT RETRIEVAL WILL BE ATTEMPTED BY THE USPTO
The U.S. application filing receipt will indicate whether applicant has complied with a request to retrieve pursuant to 37 CFR 1.55(i). Applicants should inspect the application filing receipt and request a corrected filing receipt if a request to retrieve under 37 CFR 1.55(i) is incorrectly captured.
• For the WIPO DAS Exchange, the WIPO DAS access code is required. When the WIPO DAS access code is provided, “Access Code Provided” will appear on the filing receipt for the relevant foreign application as well as the “Request to Retrieve” paragraph set forth below. When the WIPO DAS access code is not provided, “No Access Code Provided” will appear on the filing receipt for the relevant foreign application.
Request to Retrieve – This application either claims priority to one or more applications filed in an intellectual property Office that participates in the Priority Document Exchange (PDX) program or contains a proper Request to Retrieve Electronic Priority Application(s) (PTO/SB/38 or its equivalent). Consequently, the USPTO will attempt to electronically retrieve these priority documents.
CERTIFIED COPY REQUIREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS ENTERING THE U.S. NATIONAL PHASE UNDER 35 U.S.C. 371
For a majority of international applications filed under the PCT, the applicant has complied with the certified copy requirement during the international phase by submitting the certified copy to the International Bureau as set forth in PCT Rule 17.1(a), (b) and/or (b-bis). When the applicant submits a U.S. national phase application the USPTO in its capacity as a designated/elected office receives directly from the International Bureau a copy of the priority documents furnished during the international phase, along with the other national phase documents. The copy of a priority document received directly from the International Bureau satisfies the requirement for a certified copy in the national phase application. Receipt of the priority document from the International Bureau should be acknowledged on the notice of acceptance (Form PTO/DO/EO/903). This service is independent from the PDX program.
For the few international applications filed under the PCT where the applicant has not complied with the certified copy requirement during the international phase, the applicant may wish to satisfy the certified copy requirement by using the WIPO DAS Exchange of the PDX program as discussed above.
Practice tips for priority document exchange
TIP #1: When should I expect to see the electronically retrieved foreign priority document in the U.S. application file?
TIP #2: What should I do if a foreign priority document is available via the WIPO DAS but is not visible in the U.S. application file?
If the electronic copy of the priority document is not contained in the application, then the applicant should verify the following:
- The priority claim indicated on the filing receipt is accurate,
- 2-letter office code,
- application number, and
- filing date.
- The phrase “Access code provided” appears adjacent to the foreign priority claim.
- The “Request to Retrieve” text appears on the filing receipt below the foreign priority applications:
- Request to Retrieve – This application either claims priority to one or more applications filed in an intellectual property Office that participates in the Priority Document Exchange (PDX) program or contains a proper Request to Retrieve Electronic Priority Application(s) (PTO/SB/38 or its equivalent). Consequently, the USPTO will attempt to electronically retrieve these priority documents.
If the filing receipt is accurate, then the applicant should contact the Patent Electronic Business Center and request that the matter be escalated to determine why the priority document is not yet in the file. If the foreign priority information is correct on the application data sheet and incorrect on the filing receipt, then the applicant should submit a request for corrected filing receipt.
Note that the applicant continues to bear the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the priority document is filed during the pendency of the application and before the patent is issued.
TIP #3: What if the priority application was filed with a WIPO DAS participating office and I do not have the WIPO DAS access code at the time of filing the U.S. application?
The WIPO DAS access code should be furnished to the USPTO as soon as possible by submitting a corrected ADS and a request for a corrected filing receipt. It is best practice for the applicant to provide the WIPO DAS access code when making the foreign priority claim or as soon as possible after the filing of the U.S. application if the WIPO DAS access code of the foreign priority application was not available at the time of filing of the U.S. application.
There are a number of disadvantages in providing the WIPO DAS access code late in prosecution. First, a claimed invention in the application will not be entitled to the filing date of the foreign priority application if the USPTO has not received a certified copy of the foreign application or an electronic copy retrieved under the priority document exchange program. Second, if the certified copy (this includes the electronic copy retrieved under the priority document exchange program) is received after the date the issue fee is paid, the patent will not include the priority claim unless corrected by certificate of correction under 35 U.S.C. 255 and 37 CFR 1.323. Finally, if applicant provides the WIPO DAS access code outside the 4/16 month time period and an incorrect priority claim (country, application number and/or filing date) was provided on the ADS, not only will the USPTO be unable to retrieve an electronic copy of the foreign application but the applicant also will have to file a grantable petition under 37 CFR 1.55(e) to accept an unintentionally delayed priority claim to the correct foreign application.
TIP #4: How can I find out if my U.S. application is registered into the WIPO DAS exchange or has been accessed by a foreign WIPO DAS office?
TIP #5: What is necessary for the USPTO to retrieve a Hague international design application to which foreign priority is claimed in a U.S. nonprovisional application?
The applicant must first obtain a WIPO DAS access code from the International Bureau (IB) for the Hague international design application. The USPTO will automatically attempt retrieval if applicant provides the following information:
1. Country code: IB
2. Hague international design application number format:
WIPONNNNN or WIPONNNNNN (for electronic direct filings with the IB); or
NNNNNNNNN (for indirect filings or paper applications), where N is a number.
3. Filing date: YYYY-MM-DD
4. WIPO DAS access code: XXXX, where X is an alphanumeric character
NOTE: While the USPTO will continue to recognize a foreign priority claim to a Hague international design application identified by the international registration number (i.e., the DM/NNNNNN), use of WO as the country code and/or DM/NNNNNN as the application number will not be effective for retrieval via the WIPO DAS exchange.
The applicant is encouraged to use the WIPO DAS Applicant Portal, which provides online access to data concerning available priority documents added to your WIPO Account workbench and allows applicant to manage the WIPO Account workbench, track a priority document, view access history and set notification preferences. Links to these tools are provided below under the section More WIPO DAS Exchange Information.
Announcements
• OG Notices Related to Electronic Priority Document Exchange Program
• Using the WIPO DAS to Provide Priority Documents Under PCT Rule 17.1 [December 2011]
Forms
• USPTO Retrieval of a Foreign Priority Document from a Participating Office, PTO/SB/38
More WIPO DAS Exchange Information
• WIPO DAS Participating Offices
• WIPO DAS Portal (provides online access to data concerning available priority documents added to your WIPO Account workbench)
Support
EBC Customer Support Center
1-866-217-9197 (toll-free)
571-272-4100 (local)
M-F 6AM - Midnight (Eastern Time)
Email: PDX@uspto.gov