Heli Pihlajamaa June 2015 Director Patent Law
Update on electronic tools of the EPO – notification, filing and fee payment
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PCT-matters in IP5 WG3
Introduction of ‘top-up’ searches in PCT Chapter II
Information regarding search strategies
Collaborative Search & Examination
Incorporation by reference of missing parts or elements
Transmittal of earlier search results
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Overview
Electronic notification
− Amendments to Rule 127 EPC
− Mailbox service
Electronic filing – new filings tools
− New Online Filing (CMS)
− Web-form Filing
Fee payment
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Electronic notification
new Rule 127 EPC amendment in force since 1 April 2015 signifies equal importance of electronic notification confirms the 10 day rule for electronic notification in the
Implementing Regulations:
− a communication is deemed to be notified on the 10th day after
transmission
− equal treatment with notification on paper (cf. Rule 126(2) EPC)
legal safeguards:
− express agreement to electronic notification by the
addressee required
− burden of proof for (timely) electronic notification lies with the EPO
see Notice of the EPO dated 30 March 2015 (OJ EPO 2015, A36)
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Electronic notification
Mailbox service requires smart card and activation of the mailbox limited in scope (communications up to grant – see list on the EPO
website) and participation (professional representatives only)
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Electronic filing 2000: Online Filing
client software package installed on user’s PC requires a smart card (for wrapping and sending)
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Electronic filing 2014 (1) – New Online Filing (CMS)
web-based application: no need for software installation and update requires activated smart card (for log-on) for all types of documents, with the exception of priority documents PDF, XML, and ST25 sequences listings access rights management, multi-user features, portfolio management,
templates, address book, fee payment etc.
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Electronic filing 2014 (2) – Web-form filing
web-based application for upload of PDF documents quick-and-easy online registration and log-on (e-mail / password) not for documents relating to opposition, limitation, revocation and
appeal and for priority documents filing only – no additional features
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Fee payment
Online Fee Payment
− web-based application
− requires smart card and
EPO deposit account
− monitor account
− set up and manage
automatic debit orders
− since 1.4.2015:
automatic debit orders also for PCT fees (RO / ISA / IPEA)
Online Filing & New Online Filing (CMS)
− allows filing of single payment orders (individual or automatic
debit orders including automatic debit orders for PCT fees)
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Thank you for your attention!