The time limit for paying the designation fee is 31 months from the date of filing or, if priority has been claimed, from the earliest priority date (31-month time limit), if the time limit specified in Rule 39(1) has expired earlier (Rule 159(1)(d)) (see A‑III, 11.2.5, for further details). If, subsequent to the receipt of the international application by the EPO and prior to the date on which processing or examination may start, the regional designation of all contracting states of the EPC is withdrawn, the Euro-PCT application, in so far as it is deemed to be a European application pursuant to Art. 153(2) and Art. 11(3) PCT, is deemed to be withdrawn.
For information on the requirements for extension or validation of a Euro-PCT application to states for which an Extension Agreement or a Validation Agreement with the EPO has become effective, see A‑III, 12.
Source: http://www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/html/guidelines/e/e_ix_2_3_11.htm
Date retrieved: 17 May 2021
11 references found.
Click X to load a reference inside the current page, click on the title to open in a new page.EPC Articles
EPC Implementing Rules
XR.159 EPC The European Patent Office as a designated or elected Office – Requirements for entry into the European phase
EPO Guidelines - A Formalities Examination
XGL A III 12 Extension and validation of European patent applications and patents to/in states not party to the EPC