"As indicated in previous sessions, the International Bureau...

"As indicated in previous sessions, the International Bureau does not see the purpose of this proposal as reducing the professional role of the national agent in respect of national phase entry. The system seeks to eliminate the unnecessary formalities of transcribing existing information to and from national forms, with its inherent risk of introducing errors. However, on a substantive level, it focuses on assisting communication and collaboration between an instructing (international) agent and a national agent. By having a secure common platform where both partners are able to see the full international phase file as well as the draft documents and information proposed for use in entry to any particular national phase before they are submitted, the risks of misunderstandings are reduced". Sourced from WIPO PCT/WG/9/24.

ePCT is a collaborative management platform to make it easier for the patent offices, attorneys and clients. A local agent is still including in the filing phase. Innovia is currently already doing this only on their own platform which does not link with the national offices.