When entering the U.S. as a national phase filing, which two items must be submitted?

When entering the national phase in the United States after international patent filing under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), it is essential to provide certain required documents to ensure the application is processed correctly. The correct answer involves submitting a copy of the international application alongside the national filing fee.

The requirement for submitting a copy of the international application ensures that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has the necessary information to assess and process the patent claims initially filed in the international context. This document serves as the basis for examination and, therefore, must be provided.

The national filing fee is also mandatory, as it constitutes the payment required to process the application in U.S. territory. This fee is essential to initiate and maintain the examination process, affirming the applicant’s intention to pursue patent protection under U.S. law.

Other options provided do not satisfy the specific requirements for entering the national phase. For instance, the international filing fee is typically addressed at the international level and is not separately required during U.S. national phase entry. The declaration and translations might be needed in certain cases, but they do not directly correspond to the basic requirements of submission at the national phase entry. Similarly, a provisional application and the patent claim do not meet the requirement