Mainly these amendments are concerned with addition of new languages to the list of languages in which international applications may be published and supplementary international search system.

As of January 1, 2009, Portuguese and Korean were recognized by WIPO as official languages of the international applications. Therefore, from the mentioned date on International patent applications may be filed total in 10 languages. The expecting effect of the amendment is simplification for the filing of the applications for Portuguese and Korean companies.

Moreover, the applicants have been enabled to request that a supplementary international search be carried out in respect of the international application by an International Searching Authority (Rule 45bis). The amendment allows for applicants to gain an additional search report while considering the growing linguistic diversity in prior art.