How can an international application be filed online?
AI, Part 7, Annex F
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Online Filing (OLF), a software application that authenticates users via smart card and can be used to prepare and file international applications and further documents (alternatively applications and further documents prepared in Online Filing can then be filed on electronic data carriers accepted by the EPO; see point 2.2.009);
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the EPO case management system (CMS), a web-based system accessible from most browsers that authenticates users via smart card and can be used to prepare and file international applications and further documents. Data and documents are stored on a secure network hosted by the EPO and it is not necessary to install any software, except for the smart card; and
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Web-Form Filing, a browser-based system which allows applicants to log in with a username and password in order to upload and submit PDFs via a secure internet connection; such PDFs need to comply with Part 7 of the Administrative Instructions under the PCT and their Annex F.
The EPO's Online Filing software and the required smart card, as well as the CMS and the Web-Form Filing service, are free of charge. More information regarding the EPO Online Services is available on the EPO website.[ 13 ]
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PCT-SAFE, a software application with user authentication via smart card or digital certificate that can be used to prepare international applications in electronic form and then file them via secure online transmission (alternatively applications prepared using PCT-SAFE can be filed on a physical medium such as a CD-R); and
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ePCT, a browser-based system accessible via a secure connection and offering several means for user authentication (e.g. digital certificate, authenticator application for one-time passwords) that can be used to prepare and file international applications and further documents.
Information on the PCT-SAFE software and the ePCT service is available on the WIPO website.[ 14 ]
The online filing of an international application with the EPO as receiving Office triggers the electronic acknowledgement of receipt. The acknowledgement indicates the receiving Office, the date and time of receipt, the reference or application number allocated by the EPO, the list of the files transmitted and a message digest, i.e. the message in compressed form.
Source: http://www.epo.org/applying/international/guide-for-applicants/html/e/ga_c2_2_3.html
Date retrieved: 17 May 2021