Having regard to the European Patent Convention (EPC) and in particular Article 10(2)(a) and (c) and Rule 152(11) thereof,

Having regard to Legal Board of Appeal decision J 16/96 and to current EPO practice following that decision,

On a proposal from the President of the European Patent Office,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

The decision taken by the Adminis- trative Council at its fourth meeting (19 to 21 December 1978) relating to the interpretation of the term "associa- tion of representatives" under Rule 101(9) EPC 1973 (Rule 152(11) EPC), namely that it means an associa- tion consisting solely of professional representatives in private practice, is abrogated.

This decision shall enter into force on 16 October 2013.

Done at Munich, 16 October 2013

For the Administrative Council The Chairman

Jesper KONGSTAD

11/2013Amtsblatt EPAOfficial Journal EPOJournal officiel OEBReferences: ;