PCT Fees Unchanged at WIPO Assembly

The WIPO Secretariat reported an impending budget deficit at the recent Assemblies and suggested an increase in PCT fees to cover the increasing costs of its activities. The September 2004 issue of Bridges Monthly Review adds that, while some developed countries did not want to see the PCT fees increase, many developing countries did not consider the proposal as negative, especially if such an increase would allow expansion of the technical cooperation activities. In the end, no consensus could be reached on this issue and it was decided that the Programme Budget Committee of WIPO would discuss the question of fee adjustment and defer any changes made to the fees until the next meeting. This debate may take place in an exceptional meeting of the General Assembly in the future.

Click here for the WIPO press release.