J 0001/89 (Courtesy service) of 1.2.1990

European Case Law Identifier: ECLI:EP:BA:1990:J000189.19900201
Date of decision: 01 February 1990
Case number: J 0001/89
Application number: 83903170.5
IPC class: A23B 4/02
Language of proceedings: DE
Distribution:
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Bibliographic information is available in: DE | EN | FR
Versions: OJ
Title of application: -
Applicant name: Liesenfeld
Opponent name: -
Board: 3.1.01
Headnote: I.1. The principle of good faith governing relations between the EPO and applicants (J 2/87, OJ EPO 1988, 330 and J 3/87, OJ EPO 1989, 3) also applies to courtesy services provided by the EPO where these are not worded so as to rule out any misunderstanding on the part of a reasonable addressee.
2. An applicant cannot rely on the EPO systematically providing certain courtesy services (in this case reminding him of the due date for payment of renewal fees) and therefore is not entitled to base a claim on their omission (confirmation of J 12/84, OJ EPO 1985, 108); if however the applicant does receive a notification provided by the EPO as a courtesy service, he can rely on its accuracy and completeness.
3. Where an applicant pays renewal fees in accordance with a misleading notification regarding the due date for payment of renewal fees, he is to be treated as if he has paid the renewal fee in due time.
II. If the commencement of the regional (European) phase is deferred until expiry of the 30th month after the filing date of the international application, the renewal fee for the third year is not due until after expiry of the 30th month, i.e. on the last day of the 30-month time limit (New legal position from 1.6.1991 (Rule 104b(1)(e) EPC). (Article 40 PCT; Article 150(2), third sentence, EPC). The period of grace for payment of the renewal fee with an additional fee is then to be calculated on the basis of the deferred due date.
Relevant legal provisions:
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 86
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 150(2) Sent 3
Patent Cooperation Treaty Art 40
Keywords: Reminder concerning payment of renewal fees
Courtesy service of the EPO
Clarity and unambiguity of communications
Principle of good faith
Due date of the renewal fee for the third year
International application with Chapter II PCT
Catchwords:

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Cited decisions:
-
Citing decisions:
G 0002/97
J 0027/92
J 0034/92
J 0013/93
J 0014/94
J 0030/94
J 0007/97
J 0032/97
J 0038/97
J 0034/03
J 0001/08
J 0010/17
T 0489/93
T 0690/93
T 0069/95
T 0815/02
T 1181/04
T 0861/12
W 0001/07

22 references found.

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EPO Guidelines - A Formalities Examination

PCT Articles

Offical Journal of the EPO

Case Law Book: III Amendments

Case Law of the Enlarged Board

General Case Law