THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANISATION,

Having regard to the European Patent Convention (hereinafter referred to as "EPC") and in particular Article 33(1)(c) and (2)(d) thereof,

On a proposal from the President of the European Patent Office,

Having regard to the opinion of the Budget and Finance Committee,

In view of the extraordinary global situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The additional fee for belated payment of a renewal fee for the European patent application (Rule 51, paragraph 2, EPC) referred to in Article 2, paragraph 1, item 5, of the Rules relating to Fees is waived as from the entry into force of this decision until 31 August 2020.

Article 2

1. This decision will enter into force on 1 June 2020.

2. Article 1 of the present decision applies to European patent applications in respect of which a renewal fee pursuant to Article 86, paragraph 1, EPC falls due on or after 15 March 2020 and has not been paid on the due date.

Done at Munich, 28 May 2020

For the Administrative Council

The Chairman

Josef KRATOCHVÍL