19.1

(a)  Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), the international application shall be filed, at the option of the applicant,

(i)   with the national Office of or acting for the Contracting State of which the applicant is a resident,

(ii)  with the national Office of or acting for the Contracting State of which the applicant is a national, or

iii)  irrespective of the Contracting State of which the applicant is a resident or national, with the International Bureau.

(b)  Any Contracting State may agree with another Contracting State or any intergovernmental organization that the national Office of the latter State or the intergovernmental organization shall, for all or some purposes, act instead of the national Office of the former State as receiving Office for applicants who are residents or nationals of that former State. Notwithstanding such agreement, the national Office of the former State shall be considered the competent receiving Office for the purposes of Article 15(5).

(c)  In connection with any decision made under Article 9(2), the Assembly shall appoint the national Office or the intergovernmental organization which will act as receiving Office for applications of residents or nationals of States specified by the Assembly. Such appointment shall require the previous consent of the said national Office or intergovernmental organization.