External complaints can concern any service or product delivered by the EPO and can be submitted by any person, including parties to proceedings before the EPO (for enquiries as to the processing of files, see E‑VIII, 7). Complaints can be submitted using the online form available at www.epo.org/complaint.
Complaints are forwarded to a dedicated EPO department responsible for
The complaint handling procedure does not replace the procedures laid down by the EPC; nor does the department responsible for handling complaints take decisions on procedural requests. Hence, the relevant department competent for the respective proceedings decides on:
The department responsible for handling complaints promptly forwards any complaint relating to appeal proceedings to the EPO Boards of Appeal Unit.
Complaints having a substantive and/or procedural bearing on proceedings before the EPO, as well as replies thereto by the department responsible for handling complaints, will only exceptionally be excluded from file inspection (see D‑II, 4.3; Decision of the President of the EPO concerning documents excluded from file inspection, OJ EPO 2007, Special edition No. 3, J.3).[Art. 128(4); Rule 144(d); ]
Source: http://www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/html/guidelines/e/e_vi_4.htm
Date retrieved: 17 May 2021
8 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
EPO Guidelines - D Opposition and Limitation/Revocation Procedures
EPO Guidelines - E General Procedural Matters
XGL E VI – Examination by the EPO of its own motion; facts, evidence or grounds not submitted in due time; observations by third parties