Re: National phase of PCT applications

liz_hall@ici.com
Thu, 7 Jan 1999 15:28:33 +0000

>From the notices in 'The Patent and Design Journal' it states that 'The=
UK
Patent Office will not allot a UK application number or take any furth=
er steps
to process an international application in the national phase until the=

applicant either files Form NP1 or indicates in writing to the Office t=
hat he
wishes to proceed with the national phase.'

This means that the applications will still remain part of the prior ar=
t unless
the applicant withdraws the application before it enters the national p=
hase,
but at least we should be able to see an indication as to whether they =
are
definitely proceeding by looking for a UK application number. These a=
re
published in 'The Patent and Design Journal' and should be included in
INPADOC.

Liz Hall
ICI Group Intellectual Property Dept
=