OJ EPO 2012, 643 - Notice from the European Patent Office concerning the web-based user consultation platform

The European Patent Office has been providing a web-based consultation platform at www.epo.org/law-practice/ consultation.html since 2011.

This tool facilitates, by means of surveys, the early involvement of the users of the patent system in the law-making process of the European Patent Organisation. The Office posts here preliminary drafts for proposed amendments to European patent law and practice, such as major changes to the Implementing Regula- tions to the EPC, to the Rules relating to Fees or to examination practice.

OJ EPO 2013, 16 - Notice from the European Patent Office dated 3 December 2012 on calculation of the time limit under Rule 36(1) EPC

Under Rule 36(1)(a) EPC, the period for "voluntary" division is triggered by the examining division's first communication under Article 94(3) and Rule 71(1) and (2) EPC or under Rule 71(3) EPC in respect of the earliest application for which a communication has been issued (for details, see Guidelines for Examination in the EPO, A-IV, 1.1.1.2). This communication also triggers the period for "mandatory" division under Rule 36(1)(b) EPC if it raises a specific objection of lack of unity for the first time (for details, see Guidelines for

OJ EPO 2013, 42 - Decision of Technical Board of Appeal 3.3.04 dated 31 May 2012 T 1242/06 3.3.04

(Language of the proceedings)

COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD: Chairman: R. Gramaglia Members: B. Claes, R. Moufang

Patent proprietor/Appellant: State of Israel Ministry of Agriculture Opponent/Appellant: Unilever N.V. Headword: Tomatoes II/STATE OF ISRAEL Article: 53(a),(b),(c), 64(2), 84, 100(a), 123(2),(3), 164(2) EPC Article: 53(a),(b), 54, 64(2), 100(a), 112, 123(2),(3) EPC 1973 Rule: 26(4),(5), 27(b),(c), 28(c), 43(2), 80 EPC Rule: 23b(4),(5), 23c(b) EPC 1973

OJ EPO 2013, 90 - Decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 30 January 2013 concerning the payment of fees and expenses charged by the Information Office and the Electronic Library in Munich

The President of the European Patent Office, having regard to Article 5(2) of the Rules relating to Fees and the discontinuation of the public access to the Information Office and the Electronic Library in Munich 1, has decided as follows:

Article 1 Previous decision set aside

The decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 26 August 2010 concerning the payment of fees and expenses charged by the Informa- tion Office and the Electronic Library in Munich (OJ EPO 2010, 496) is set aside.

Article 2 Entry into force

OJ EPO 2013, 110 - European Union

EU regulations on unitary patent protection

Regulation (EU) No 1257/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2012 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of the creation of unitary patent protection, and Council Regulation (EU) No 1260/2012 of 17 December 2012 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of the creation of unitary patent protection with regard to the applicable translation arrangements, as published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ L 361, 31.12.2012, p. 1 and p. 89), are reproduced below. References in

OJ EPO 2013, 111 - Regulation (EU) No 1257/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2012 implementing enhanced coopera- tion in the area of the creation of unitary patent protection

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and in particular the first paragraph of Article 118 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2011/167/EU of 10 March 2011 authorising enhanced cooperation in the area of the creation of unitary patent protection 1,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure 2,

OJ EPO 2013, 132 - Council Regulation (EU) No 1260/2012 of 17 December 2012 implementing enhanced coopera- tion in the area of the creation of unitary patent protection with regard to the applicable translation arrangements

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the second paragraph of Article 118 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2011/167/EU of 10 March 2011 authorising enhanced cooperation in the area of the creation of unitary patent protection 1,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

OJ EPO 2013, 150 - Notice from the European Patent Office dated 28 January 2013 concerning amended Rule 53(3) EPC

By decision of 27 June 2012 1, the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation amended Rule 53 EPC so as to introduce a legal sanction in case of non-compliance with an invitation to file the translation of a previous application whose priority is claimed duly issued by the EPO in compliance with the requirements laid down in Rule 53(3) EPC. Failure to comply with this invitation will result in the loss of the right of the relevant priority. The introduction of a specific sanction is aimed at increasing legal

OJ EPO 2013, 153 - Notice from the European Patent Office dated 29 January 2013 concerning adjustments to the system for search and examination fee refunds (Articles 9(1) and 11(b) of the Rules relating to Fees) following decisions J 25/10 and [..]

Full title: OJ EPO 2013, 153 - Notice from the European Patent Office dated 29 January 2013 concerning adjustments to the system for search and examination fee refunds (Articles 9(1) and 11(b) of the Rules relating to Fees) following decisions J 25/10 and J 9/10 of the Legal Board of Appeal

In view of decisions J 25/10 1 and J 9/10 2 of the Legal Board of Appeal and their implications for current practice with regard to search and examination fee refunds, the Office has decided to imple- ment a technical and administrative

OJ EPO 2013, 156 - Notice from the European Patent Office dated 21 February 2013 concerning the request for early processing

I. Introduction

1. In recent years the number of requests for early processing filed with the EPO as designated/elected Office has risen. As a result thereof and consequent to decision J 18/09 the EPO has received a number of enquiries concerning the EPO's practice in processing such requests. 1