Thanks Elyse - you're quite right about Australian PCT transfers - it
catches a lot of people out. However, even here it is possible to
obtain the document you want provided you ask carefully.
The document which publishes as an AU-A based on a PCT transfer (and
enters the databases as if it was a regular AU-A) is the same as the
original WO published application, in whatever language that appeared,
but with the addition of a small label on the front page containing the
AU-A number. However, if the case enters national phase in Australia,
at some point the applicant must file an English translation for the
Australian examiners to process. Since this doesn't appear as the
formal AU-A document, I can only assume that it is lodged in the file
wrapper and would be available if you requested a file inspection.
It's somewhat similar to granted EP-B cases - you can still get a full
English translation under Art.65 EPC provided that you insist on that
document, and don't ask for the "normal" EP-B post-grant.
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