By Donald Zuhn —

On Tuesday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that beginning August 31, 2007, the Patent Office will begin to electronically transfer certified copies of U.S. priority applications to the International Bureau (IB) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for International applications filed in the U.S. Receiving Office (RO), provided that a request has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 17.1(b) and 37 C.F.R. § 1.451(b).  The USPTO has even
waived the fee under 37 C.F.R. § 1.19(b)(1)(iii)(A) for the electronic transfer of such priority applications.  To request electronic transfer of priority applications, applicants must only check the box on the Request (Form PCT/RO/101) requesting that the U.S. RO transmit a certified copy of a U.S. priority application to the IB.