As noted in the WIPO Update on COVID-19 on March 16, 2020, the International Bureau remains in full operation. However, given the unreliability of postal systems worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Bureau (also as receiving Office) has suspended all communication by postal mail until further notice. The International Bureau will transmit all PCT-related documents only via e-mail to the e-mail address provided in relation to each international application. Please note that PCT-related documents are also available through ePCT and also on PATENTSCOPE for published international applications.
For PCT applications in which the applicant or agent has not provided a contact e-mail address, the International Bureau urges PCT users to urgently provide the contact e-mail address in relation to their pending international application(s). The International Bureau has published detailed instructions on our website at https://www.wipo.int/pct/en/news/2020/news_0008.html on how to submit the contact e-mail address in relevant cases.
All PCT users are strongly encouraged to avoid PCT-related submissions by postal mail and to communicate with the International Bureau exclusively by appropriate electronic means.