WARNING: Beware of Requests for Payment of Fees from "Central Data-Register of International Patents"
August 2002
On August 15, 2002, the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) issued a warning that PCT patent applicants are being asked to pay unauthorized fees to an organization identifying itself as the "Central Data-Register of International Patents." Apparently, PCT applicants and agents are receiving invitations to pay fees with the title:
"Central Data-Register of International
Patents International Patent
Applications/Offer"
The requests typically seek payment in the amount of 1235,40 Euros or US dollars within a period of 10 days, to be sent by check to an address in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, or by bank transfer to an indicated bank account number.
The requests are quite specific, and identify a particular PCT application by its international publication number (eg: WO 02 xxxxx), publication date, title of the invention, international application number, etc.
WIPO has advised all PCT applicants and agents that the requests do not come from the International Bureau of WIPO, and are unrelated to the processing of international applications under the PCT.
If you receive a request for payment or any other communication from the" Central Data-Register of International Patents", proceed with caution, and please contact our PCT paralegal, Theresa Belland, at 612/492__ (etc) or any of our Intellectual Property attorneys. You can reach us on the web at www.fredlaw.com/areas/ip.
The members of Fredrikson & Byron's Intellectual Property Group help clients build, protect, and strengthen their domestic and international patent, trademark, and copyright portfolios.