The PCT Union Assembly has effected certain fee reductions relating to designation fees that became effective for International Patent Applications filed on or after January 1, 2000 or for which the payment of the fees could be and is delayed until after that date. In addition to reducing the fee payable per country designated, the fee change also lowers the maximum number of designations for which fees must be paid from ten to eight so that even if it is desired to designate more than eight countries, the maximum number of designation fees payable will now be eight.

Additionally, with effect from January 1, 2000, it is possible to claim Convention priority in an International Application not only from applications filed in countries that are members of the Paris Convention but also from countries that are members of the World Trade Organization.