1.491 National stage commencement, entry, and fulfillment.
[Editor Note: Certain paragraphs below are applicable only to patent applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) or 363 on or after September 16, 2012*]
- (a) Subject to 35 U.S.C. 371(f), the national stage shall commence with the expiration of the applicable time limit under PCT Article 22(1) or (2), or under PCT Article 39(1)(a).
- (b) An international application enters the national stage when the applicant has filed the documents and fees required by 35 U.S.C. 371(c)(1) and (c)(2) within the period set in § 1.495.
- (c) An international application fulfills the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 371 when the national stage has commenced under 35 U.S.C. 371(b) or (f) and all applicable requirements of 35 U.S.C. 371 have been satisfied.
[Added, 52 FR 20050, May 28, 1987; revised, 66 FR 45775, Aug. 30, 2001; revised, 67 FR 520, Jan. 4, 2002, effective Apr. 1, 2002; heading and para. (b) revised and para. (c) added, 77 FR 48776, Aug. 14, 2012, effective Sept. 16, 2012]
[*The changes effective Sept. 16, 2012 are applicable only to patent applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) or 363 on or after Sept. 16, 2012. See § 1.491 (pre-AIA) for the rule otherwise in effect.]