How to Describe an Application Number based on which Priority is Claimed at the time of Filing an Application Claiming Priority under the Paris Convention

December 13, 2005
Japan Patent Office (JPO)

In order to enhance and speed up searches and examinations conducted at each IP office by mutually using search results of corresponding patent applications, the Trilateral Offices (Japan Patent Office, the European Patent Office, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office) developed the Dossier Access System which allows users to refer to the information on examination such as file wrapper documents of their offices, and each office launched this system by autumn of 2004.

When referring to the examination-related information produced by other IP offices through the Dossier Access System, JPO examiners use an application number of a foreign application based on which priority is claimed which was described in its application form as well as its priority certificate, etc.

However, there are some cases where a priority number is described incorrectly in the application form or other documents submitted by applicants.
Such cases sometimes may interfere with efficient utilization of information concerning other office’s examination results. In order to expedite the examination process, the applicant is strongly encouraged to describe priority number correctly as shown in the table below.

Examples of Application Number Described in the Priority Certificate

Name of Country, Region or International Organization	Examples of  Application Number	Explanation
United States	10/835,571	10: series code 835,571: serial number
European Patent Office	04076897.0	04: year (last 2 digits of the year) 07: application location code 6897: serial number 0: check digit
Germany	10 2004 018 017.2	10: application type code 2004: year 018 017: serial number 2: check digit
Republic of Korea	10-2004-0036587	10: application type code 2004: year 0036587: serial number
France	0405271	04: year (last 2 digits of the year) 05271: serial number
United Kingdom	0320314.8	03: year (last 2 digits of the year) 20314: serial number 8: check digit
Taiwan	093119914	093: Taiwanese calendar year (Western calendar year – 1911) 119914: serial number
Sweden	0400103-8	04: year (last 2 digits of the year) 00103: serial number 8: check digit
The Netherlands	1023745	1023745: serial number
Switzerland	00144/04	00144: serial number 04: year (last 2 digits of the year)

*“Check digit”refers to alphanumeric characters added to the end of data to check errors in data entry and reading.

[Updated December 13, 2005]

Contact

Examination using the Dossier Access System International Planning Office, Administrative Affairs Division, Patent and Design Examination Department, Japan Patent Office TEL:+81 3 3581 1101 Ext. 2505   Others: Third Office in Charge, Formality Examination Division, Japan Patent Office TEL: +81 3 3581 1101 Ext. 2616 or 2625