In order to facilitate the evaluation of novelty and inventive step as regards the claimed
invention, the applicant shall supply the to the empowered authority with the following
documents relating to one of the foreign applications referred to in paragraph (1) of this
article:
1° a copy of any communication received by the applicant concerning the results of any
search or examination carried out in relation to the foreign application;
2° a certified or ordinary copy of the patent or other title of protection granted on the basis of
the foreign application;
3° a copy of any final decision rejecting the foreign application or refusing the grant required
in the foreign application.
The applicant shall furnish the empowered authority with a copy of any final decision
invalidating the patent granted on the basis of the foreign application referred to in
paragraph (2) of this article.
SECTION 4: EXAMINATION; GRANT OF THE PATENT
Article 32: According the filing date
The empowered authority shall accord, as the filing date, the date of receipt of the application.
The application shall contain:
1° an indication that the grant of a patent is sought;
2° information allowing the identity of the applicant to be established;
3° a part which, on the face of it, appears to be a description of an invention;
4° one or more claims identifying the characteristic elements of the invention.
Where the empowered authority finds that, at the time of receipt of the application, the
requirements of paragraph (1) of this article have not been satisfied, he shall invite, within a
period of seven (7) days, the applicant to file the required correction.
Where the applicant complies with the invitation referred to in paragraph (2) of this article,
the empowered authority shall accord, as the filing date, the date of receipt of the required
correction. Where the corrections required are drawings and have not been made, the
empowered authority shall accord the application the first filing date. In that case, any
application based on drawings shall be treated as non-existent.
Article 33: Examination
After according a filing date, and having the invention classified according to the
International Classification, the empowered authority shall examine whether the application
complies with the requirements of articles 23 and 24, and the provisions of the administrative
regulations pertaining thereto, as well as the other requirements of this Law and relevant