The sole purpose of the title is to inform the public about the technical information disclosed in the application. The examiner does not need the applicant's approval to compose or amend the title.[Rule 5.1; 37; GL/ISPE 16.35; 16.38; ]

Under Rule 5.1, the title is considered to be a part of the description. Under Rule 37.2, in the absence of a title, or when the title does not comply with Rule 4.3 (i.e. it is too long or not precise enough), the search examiner can compose a title or amend the existing one. On the basis of these two rules taken in conjunction, the EPO as ISA may accept amendments of the title proposed by the applicant, provided that any such amendments do not go beyond the disclosure in the international application as filed.

Moreover, the title can be amended before the EPO as IPEA under Art. 34, like any other part of the description.[Art. 34; ]