OJ EPO 2012, 32 - Extension of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot programmes

The PPH programme enables an applicant whose claims have been determined to be patentable/allowable to have a corresponding application filed with a PPH partner office processed in an accelerated manner while at the same time allowing the offices involved to exploit available work results.

The Trilateral offices have agreed to extend the duration of their current PCT PPH pilot programme 1 that allows for the utilisation of PCT international phase work products in the regional/national phase.

OJ EPO 2012, 52 - Notice from the European Patent Office dated 13 December 2011 concerning amended Rule 71 and new Rule 71a EPC

By decision of 26 October 2010 1, the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation amended Rule 71(3) to (11) EPC as to the procedure to be followed after the Examining Division has informed the applicant of the text in which it intends to grant the European patent (communication pursuant to Rule 71(3) EPC), and added a new Rule 71a EPC as to the conclusion of the grant procedure.

These amendments will enter into force on 1 April 2012. The present notice gives information about these amendments.

OJ EPO 2012, 58 - Notice from the European Patent Office dated 13 January 2012 concerning the situation in Thailand after the flooding at the end of 2011

1. In view of the natural catastrophe in Thailand, attention is drawn to the general legal remedies provided under the European Patent Convention in the case of the non-observance of time limits and, more specifically, to Rule 134(5) EPC.

2. Rule 134(5) EPC offers a safeguard in the case of non-observance of a time limit due to an exceptional occurrence such as a natural disaster or other like reasons affecting the locality where the party or his representative resides or has his place of business. This provision may

OJ EPO 2012, 59 - Notice from the European Patent Office dated 22 December 2011 concerning updated Form 1001 (request for grant)

The changes to the procedure for filing sequence listings 1 which took effect on 1 June 2011 have prompted an update of the request for grant form (EPA/EPO/OEB 1001). The new version can now be downloaded from the EPO website. Copies of the previous version can however be used up without legal prejudice to the applicant.

The change to the 01.11 2 version is that, as applicants no longer have to file sequence listings on paper, the identity statement now appearing in section 38.4 is required only if they are choosing to file them on paper as well.

OJ EPO 2012, 60 - Patent Prosecution Highway pilot programme between the European Patent Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office based on national work products

I. Background

The Patent Prosecution Highway pilot programme (PPH) between the European Patent Office (EPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) based on national work products was launched on 29 September 2008 and has been extended twice since its launch.

The EPO and the USPTO have agreed to revise the participation requirements and extend the trial period for the Patent Prosecution Highway Programme until 28 January 2014, with effect from 29 January 2012.

OJ EPO 2012, 75 - Patent Prosecution Highway pilot programme between the European Patent Office and the Japan Patent Office based on national work products

I. Background

The Patent Prosecution Highway pilot programme (PPH) between the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO) based on national work products was launched on 29 January 2010.

The EPO and the JPO have agreed to revise the participation requirements and extend the trial period for the Patent Prosecution Highway Programme until 28 January 2014, with effect from 29 January 2012.

OJ EPO 2012, 89 - Patent Prosecution Highway pilot programme between the Trilateral Offices based on PCT work products

I. Background

The Patent Prosecution Highway pilot programme between the Trilateral Offices based on PCT work products (Trilateral PCT-PPH) was launched on 29 January 2010.

The Trilateral Offices have agreed to revise the participation requirements and extend the trial period for the Trilateral PCT-PPH pilot programme until 28 January 2014, with effect from 29 January 2012.

OJ EPO 2012, 126 - Communication from the Enlarged Board of Appeal concerning case G 1/12

In accordance with Article 112(1)(a) EPC, Technical Board of Appeal 3.3.07 referred the following points of law to the Enlarged Board of Appeal with interlocu- tory decision of 30 January 2012 in case T 445/08:

(1) When a notice of appeal, in compli- ance with Rule 99(1)(a) EPC, contains the name and the address of the appel- lant as provided in Rule 41(2)(c) EPC and it is alleged that the identification is wrong due to an error, the true intention having been to file on behalf of the legal person which should have filed the appeal, is a request for substituting this

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