Electronic Priority Document Exchange (PDX) Program

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

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: 

Table of WIPO DAS participating offices (as of January 01, 2024)
COUNTRYCOUNTRY CODEIP TYPENUMBER FORMAT
ArgentinaARPatentPYYYY01NNNNN
Utility ModelMYYYY01NNNNN
AustraliaAUPatentYYYYNNNNNN
Industrial DesignYYYYNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/AUYYYY/NNNNNN
AustriaATPatentA NNNNN/YYYY
Utility ModelGM NNNNN/YYYY
Industrial DesignMU NNNN/YYYY
PCT InternationalPCT/ATYYYY/NNNNNN
BrazilBRPatent10YYYYNNNNNNN 
Industrial Design30YYYYNNNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/BRYYYY/NNNNNN
CanadaCAPatentNNNNNNN
Industrial DesignNNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/CAYYYY/NNNNNN
ChileCLPatentNNNNN-YYYY
YYYYNNNNN
Utility ModelNNNN-YYYY
YYYYNNNNN
Industrial DesignNNNN-YYYY
YYYYNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/CLYYYY/NNNNNN
ChinaCNPatentYYYY1NNNNNNN.X
Utility ModelYYYY2NNNNNNN.X
Industrial DesignYYYY3NNNNNNN.X
PCT InternationalPCT/CNYYYY/NNNNNN
ColombiaCOPatentNCYYYY/NNNNNNN
Utility ModelNCYYYY/NNNNNNN
Industrial DesignNCYYYY/NNNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/COYYYY/NNNNNN
CubaCUPatentCU/P/YYYY/NNNNNN
Utility ModelCU/U/YYYY/NNNNNN
Industrial DesignCU/I/YYYY/NNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/CUYYYY/NNNNNN
DenmarkDKPatentPA YYYY NNNNN
Utility ModelBA YYYY NNNNN
Industrial DesignDA YYYY NNNNN
GD YYYY NNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/DKYYYY/NNNNNN
EstoniaEEPatentPYYYYNNNNN
Utility ModelUYYYYNNNNN
Eurasian Patent OrganizationEAPatentNNNNNNNNN
Industrial DesignYYYY4NNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/EAYYYY/NNNNNN
European Patent Office (EPO)EPPatentYYNNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/EPYYYY/NNNNNN
European Union Intellectual Property OfficeEMIndustrial DesignNNNNNNNNN-NNNN
FinlandFIPatentYYYYNNNN
Utility ModelUYYYYNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/FIYYYY/NNNNNN
FranceFRPatentYYNNNNN
Utility ModelYYNNNNN
Industrial DesignYYYYNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/FRYYYY/NNNNNN
GeorgiaGEPatentAP YYYYNNNNN
Utility ModelAU YYYYNNNNN
Industrial DesignAD YYYYNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/GEYYYY/NNNNNN
IndiaINPatentYYYYNNNNNNNN
Industrial DesignNNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/INYYYY/NNNNNN
International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property OrganizationIB          (Practice Tip #5)Industrial DesignWIPONNNNN
WIPONNNNNN
NNNNNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/IBYYYY/NNNNNN
Iran (Islamic Republic of)IRPatentYYYY50140030NNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/IRYYYY/NNNNNN
IsraelILPatentNNNNNN
Industrial DesignNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/ILYYYY/NNNNNN
ItalyITPatent10YYYYNNNNNNNNN
Utility Model20YYYYNNNNNNNNN
Industrial Design40YYYYNNNNNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/ITYYYY/NNNNNN
JapanJPPatentYYYY-NNNNNN
Utility ModelYYYY-NNNNNN U
Industrial DesignYYYY-NNNNNN D
LatviaLVPatentPYYYYNNNNNN
LithuaniaLTPatentYYYYNNN
Industrial DesignYYYYNNN
MexicoMXPatentMX/A/YYYY/NNNNNN
Utility ModelMX/U/YYYY/NNNNNN
Industrial DesignMX/F/YYYY/NNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/MXYYYY/NNNNNN
MonacoMCPatentNNNN
Industrial DesignNNNNN
MoroccoMAPatentNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/MAYYYY/NNNNNN
NetherlandsNLPatentNNNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/NLYYYY/NNNNNN
New ZealandNZPatentNNNNNN
NorwayNOPatentYYYYNNNN
Industrial DesignYYYYNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/NOYYYY/NNNNNN
Republic of KoreaKRPatent10-YYYY-NNNNNNN
Utility Model20-YYYY-NNNNNNN
Industrial Design30-YYYY-NNNNNNN
SpainESPatentPYYYYNNNNN
Utility ModelUYYYYNNNNN
Industrial DesignDNNNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/ESYYYY/NNNNNN
SwedenSEPatentYYNNNNN
YYNNNNN-N
PCT InternationalPCT/SEYYYY/NNNNNN
SwitzerlandCHPatentNNNNNN/YYYY
Industrial DesignYYYY-NNNNN
TürkiyeTRPatentYYYY/NNNNNN
Utility ModelYYYY/NNNNNN
Industrial DesignYYYY/NNNNNN
PCT InternationalPCT/TRYYYY/NNNNNN
United KingdomGBPatentYYNNNNN.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

 

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

Authorization or Rescission of Authorization to Permit Access to a U.S. Application-as-Filed by Participating Offices, PTO/SB/39

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)
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Email: PDX@uspto.gov