OJ EPO 2009, 488 - Extension of the Patent Prosecution Highway pilot programme between the European Patent Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office

The European Patent Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office announced on 22 September 2009 that they intend to extend the trial period for the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) programme for an additional 12 months, effective as of 30 September 2009.

Further information is available via www.epo.org.

References: ar150; ar153;

OJ EPO 2009, 533 - Notice from the European Patent Office dated 15 October 2009 concerning amendments to the Implementing Regulations to the European Patent Convention (EPC)

1. Introduction As part of the "raising the bar" initiative, the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation has decided to amend the EPC Implementing Regulations in order to improve the quality of incoming patent applications and streamline the grant procedure (see CA/D 3/09 of 25 March 2009, OJ EPO 2009, 299).

2. New Rule 62a EPC 2.1 Rule 43(2) EPC (= Rule 29(2) EPC 1973) implements the Article 84 EPC requirement that the claims be clear and

OJ EPO 2009, 542 - Notice from the European Patent Office dated 22 October 2009 concerning the refund of the examination fee (Article 11 of the Rules relating to Fees)

According to Article 11 of the Rules relating to Fees, the examination fee is refunded:

(i) in full if the European patent appli- cation is withdrawn, refused or deemed to be withdrawn before the examining divisions have assumed responsibility; or

(ii) at a rate of 75% if the European patent application is withdrawn, refused or deemed to be withdrawn after the examining divisions have assumed responsibility but before substantive examination has begun.

OJ EPO 2009, 546 - Patent protection in Hong Kong Special Administration Region

The patent law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) has been in force since 1997 without major changes (see OJ EPO 1997, 429). Nevertheless, it is appropriate to provide updated infor- mation about patent protection in Hong Kong SAR and in particular about the procedure to extend European patents designating the United Kingdom (UK) to that territory.

I. Introduction

OJ EPO 2009, 582 - Decision of the Administrative Council of 27 October 2009 amending the Implementing Regulations to the European Patent Convention (CA/D 20/09)

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANISATION,

Having regard to the European Patent Convention (EPC), and in particular Article 33(1)(c) thereof,

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

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Patent Law,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Implementing Regulations to the EPC shall be amended as follows:

OJ EPO 2009, 585 - Decision of the Administrative Council of 28 October 2009 amending the Implementing Regulations to the European Patent Convention (CA/D 18/09)

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANISATION,

Having regard to the European Patent Convention (EPC), and in particular Article 33(1)(c) thereof,

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

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Patent Law,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Implementing Regulations to the EPC shall be amended as follows:

1. Rule 141 shall be amended to read as follows:

"Rule 141 Information on prior art

OJ EPO 2009, 587 - Decision of the Administrative Council of 28 October 2009 amending the Rules relating to Fees and adjusting the amount of the reduction in the fee for the supplementary European search where the international search report [..]

Full title: OJ EPO 2009, 587 - Decision of the Administrative Council of 28 October 2009 amending the Rules relating to Fees and adjusting the amount of the reduction in the fee for the supplementary European search where the international search report was drawn up by one of the European International Searching Authorities (CA/D 19/09)

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANISATION,

Having regard to the European Patent Convention and in particular Articles 33(2)(d) and 153(7) thereof,

OJ EPO 2009, 593 - Decision of the Administrative Council of 28 October 2009 amending Article 2 of the Rules relating to Fees (CA/D 10/09)

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANISATION,

Having regard to the European Patent Convention, and in particular Article 33(2)(d) thereof,

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

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Article 2 of the Rules relating to Fees shall be amended as follows:

1. The following fourth indent shall be added in Article 2, item 2:

" a supplementary international search (Rule 45bis.3(a) PCT)

2. A new item 22 shall be added:

"22. Review fee (Rule 45bis.6(c) PCT)

OJ EPO 2009, 594 - Decision of the Administrative Council of 28 October 2009 dispensing with the supplementary European search where the international search report or a supplementary international search report was drawn up by the European [..]

Full title: OJ EPO 2009, 594 - Decision of the Administrative Council of 28 October 2009 dispensing with the supplementary European search where the international search report or a supplementary international search report was drawn up by the European Patent Office (CA/D 11/09)

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANISATION,

Having regard to the European Patent Convention, and in particular Article 153(7) thereof,

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

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