In 2020, the European Patent Office and the Boards of Appeal adopted various precautionary measures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These were revised several times in the course of the year.

In particular, in 2020 the Boards of Appeal began to conduct oral proceedings in two different formats, namely with the parties attending either in person or by videoconference.

The Enlarged Board of Appeal,

having regard to Rule 13 of the Implementing Regulations to the European Patent Convention, as amended by decision CA/D 6/16 of the Administrative Council of 30 June 2016, which entered into force on 1 July 2016 (see OJ EPO 2016, A100),

The Presidium,

pursuant to Rule 12b, paragraph 4, of the Implementing Regulations to the European Patent Convention, as amended by decision CA/D 6/16 of the Administrative Council of 30 June 2016, which entered into force on 1 July 2016 (see OJ EPO 2016, A100),

Originally published in OJ EPO 2015, A35:

Decision of the Administrative Council of 25 March 2015 approving amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office (CA/D 3/15)

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANISATION,

Originally published in OJ EPO 2007, 536 ff.:^[ * ]

Decision of the Administrative Council of 25 October 2007 approving amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANISATION,