A.101 EPC Examination of the opposition – Revocation or maintenance of the European patent

(1)
If the opposition is admissible, the Opposition Division shall examine, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations, whether at least one ground for opposition under Article 100 prejudices the maintenance of the European patent. During this examination, the Opposition Division shall invite the parties, as often as necessary, to file observations on communications from another party or issued by itself.
(2)
If the Opposition Division is of the opinion that at least one ground for opposition prejudices the maintenance of the European patent, it shall revoke the patent. Otherwise, it shall reject the opposition. 
If the Opposition Division is of the opinion that, taking into consideration the amendments made by the proprietor of the European patent during the opposition proceedings, the patent and the invention to which it relates 
(a)
meet the requirements of this Convention, it shall decide to maintain the patent as amended, provided that the conditions laid down in the Implementing Regulations are fulfilled; 
(b)
do not meet the requirements of this Convention, it shall revoke the patent. 
 
[ Art. 65 68 103 R. 18 77 86 111 113 138 140 143 ]
Amended by the Act revising the European Patent Convention of 29.11.2000. 
See decisions/opinions of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 1/88, G 1/90, G 1/91, G 9/91, G 10/91, G 9/92, G 4/93, G 1/99, G 1/02 (Annex I).
See decision of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 3/14 (Annex I).

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EPC Articles

EPC Implementing Rules

EPO Guidelines - D Opposition and Limitation/Revocation Procedures

EPO Guidelines - E General Procedural Matters

EPO Guidelines - H Amendments and Corrections

Offical Journal of the EPO

Case Law Book: II Conditions to be met by an Application

Case Law Book: III Amendments

Case Law Book: IV Divisional Applications

Case Law Book: V Priority

Case Law of the Enlarged Board

General Case Law