WIPO General Assembly Considers PCT Fee Reduction

According to a September 25, 2007 report by William New in "Intellectual Property Watch,"

On Tuesday, the assembly chair also announced a change to an agenda item on the
Patent Cooperation Treaty to add to the reference to proposals from the United
States and Brazil, proposals brought forward by other member states. The issue
is whether to reduce patent fees.

PCT fee levels have drawn crticisim in light of WIPO's current level of reserves. Although WIPO’s preliminary financial report for 2006-2007 showed a surplus in the tens of millions of Swiss francs, the "Proposal by the United States of America to Reflect a 15% Reduction in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) International Filing and Handling Fees Effective January 1, 2008" was reportedly noted without action during the earlier, planning meeting of the Program and Budget Committee on September 11-14.

The assembly runs from September 24 to October 3.