The Legal Research Service wishes to thank in particular the following EPO colleagues for their invaluable contributions in compiling this publication: the following chairmen of the boards of appeal – Gunnar Eliasson, Hugo Meinders and Gianni Assi; the Language Service for the quality of the translations of the summaries in the EPO's three official languages; the editorial team of the Official Journal, the Graphic Design team and the Publication Department for their cooperation in bringing about this publication.

Our gratitude also goes to the courts and patent offices and patent practitioners of the EPC Contracting States for supplying us with decisions.

We would welcome comments and suggestions on this report at the following e-mail address:

dg3legalresearchservice@epo.org

Legal Research Service of the Boards of Appeal of the EPO