The state of the art will not be affected by oral descriptions made by and to persons who were bound to, and preserved, secrecy, nor by an oral disclosure which was made no earlier than six months before the filing of the European patent application and which derives directly or indirectly from an evident abuse in relation to the applicant or their legal predecessor. In determining whether evident abuse has occurred, note G‑V, 3.[Art. 55(1)(a); ]
Source: http://www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/html/guidelines/e/g_iv_7_3_2.htm
Date retrieved: 17 May 2021