PCT National Phase Entry in Israel

Israel is a PCT contracting state, and the national phase is entered before the Israel Patent Office (ILPO) within 30 months from the earliest priority date. Applicants act through a local patent attorney, who serves as their address for service. The national phase can be entered in English; no Hebrew translation is required.

What we need from you

  • The PCT application number (we obtain the published specification, claims, figures, search report and written opinion from PATENTSCOPE; you can also send the specification, claims and figures directly)
  • Applicant name and address, and inventor names
  • Any claim amendments, or the claim set you wish to enter with, as Word documents
  • Any amendments made in the international phase (Article 19 or Article 34)
  • An English translation, if the international application was not published in English
  • A signed power of attorney, scanned and sent by email. No original, notarization or legalization is required. It can follow after entry (generally within about three months), although it is simplest to file it with the entry papers

Claim strategy at entry

Entry is the most efficient point to shape the Israeli claims. We recommend:

  • Aligning the Israeli claims with the set you are prosecuting in the US or Europe, so that allowed claims elsewhere can support Israeli prosecution
  • Reducing the claim count where possible, since the ILPO charges excess claim fees above 50 claims and excess page fees above 100 pages
  • Considering the claim set allowed in another major office, once available, as the basis for Israeli examination

After entry

  1. No separate request for examination is needed: entry itself starts the process, and the ILPO examines the application on its merits. Examination timelines vary by technology field.
  2. Throughout pendency, the applicant must disclose prior art cited in corresponding applications abroad (Section 18 of the Patents Law). We track this for you; see Israeli Patent Prosecution for Foreign Applicants.
  3. Where examination should move faster, accelerated examination (including for “green” inventions), reliance on a corresponding foreign allowance (Section 17(c)) or a Patent Prosecution Highway request may be available.
  4. After allowance, acceptance is published and a three-month opposition period follows, after which the patent is granted.

Missed the 30-month deadline?

Late entry with restoration of rights may still be possible. We can assist with this and have done so in the past. Israel applies a strict due care standard, so contact us as soon as possible once a missed deadline is identified.

Frequently asked questions

How soon is the filing receipt issued?
The official filing receipt is usually issued within a few days of filing, and not more than one month later.

The application was entered from a PCT application. What else do you need?
A signed power of attorney (a scan by email; no original or notarization), the patent specification, claims and figures, and any claim amendments as Word documents.

Is there a limit on the number of claims or pages?
There is no limit, but excess claim fees are payable for each claim over 50, and excess page fees for applications of more than 100 pages. We can usually reduce or avoid these by restructuring the claims at entry (with your approval).

Send us the PCT number and your instructions, and we will confirm the deadline and send a cost estimate. Contact us or return to our services for foreign associates.