GL A VI 1.4 Publication in electronic form only

All European patent applications, European search reports and European patent specifications are published in electronic form only, on a publication server (see the Decision of the President of the EPO dated 12 July 2007, Special edition No. 3, OJ EPO 2007, D.3, and OJ EPO 2005, 126) which is accessible via the EPO website (epo.org).

GL A VI 1.3 Content of the publication

The publication must contain the description, the claims and any drawings as filed, including any sequence listing filed on the date of filing, and including any late-filed missing parts of the description, or drawings filed according to Rule 56 (see A‑II, 5), provided that the latter were not subsequently withdrawn (see A‑II, 5.5), and specify, where possible, the person(s) designated as the inventor(s).

GL A VI 1.2 No publication; preventing publication

The application is not published if it has been finally refused or deemed withdrawn or withdrawn before the termination of the technical preparations for publication (see A‑VI, 1.1). These preparations are considered terminated at the end of the day five weeks before expiry of a period of eighteen months from the date of filing or priority (see the Decision of the President of the EPO dated 12 July 2007, Special edition No. 3, OJ EPO 2007, D.1).

GL A VI 1.1 Date of publication

The application is published as soon as possible after the expiry of a period of eighteen months from the date of filing or, where priority is claimed, from the earliest priority date. Upon request from the applicant, the application may, however, be published before that date, provided that the filing and search fees have been validly paid and there are no formal deficiencies in the application documents (see A‑III, 1.1 and 16).

GL A VI 1 Publication of application

1.1 Date of publication

1.2 No publication; preventing publication

1.3 Content of the publication

1.4 Publication in electronic form only

1.5 Separate publication of the European search report

GL A VI – Publication of application; request for examination and transmission of the dossier to examining division

1. Publication of application

2. Request for examination and transmission of the dossier to the examining division

3. Response to the search opinion

GL A V 3 Correction of errors in documents filed with the EPO

Linguistic errors, errors of transcription and mistakes in any document filed with the EPO may be corrected on request. Requests for such amendments may be made at any time, provided that proceedings are pending before the EPO (see J 42/92).

GL A V 2.2 Examination of amendments as to formalities

The Receiving Section examines amendments, filed before the receipt of the search report, for formal requirements. Such amendments must remedy the deficiencies notified by the Receiving Section. The description, claims and drawings may be amended only to an extent sufficient to remedy the disclosed deficiencies and this requirement makes it necessary for the Receiving Section to compare any amended description, claims and drawings with those originally filed.

GL A V 2.1 Filing of amendments

Prior to the receipt of the European search report the applicant may amend the application only if invited by the Receiving Section to remedy particular deficiencies, including the case where no claims are present in the application as originally filed, wherein the applicant must rectify this deficiency by filing a set of claims in response to a communication according to Rule 58 (see A‑III, 15).

GL A V 2 Amendment of application

2.1 Filing of amendments

2.2 Examination of amendments as to formalities