Technical and Operational Support Committee
Current mandate:
The Technical and Operational Support Committee (TOSC) shall provide the Administrative Council with opinions on operational aspects of the following matters:
- Technical information and
infrastructure, especially information dissemination
- Proposals for guidelines on the
production of and access to patent information data for use by Offices or the
public
- Proposals for and evaluation of
infrastructure elements supporting the exchange and dissemination of technical
information
- Proposals for guidelines on the
production of and access to patent information data for use by Offices or the
public
- Trilateral technical co-operation
between the EPO, the USPTO and the JPO, as well as other forms of technical
co-operation in international fora
- Monitoring and examining technical
co-operation projects in the broader perspective of the European patent system
and the preservation of its interests
- Making suitable contributions to
support the EPO in preparing the technical and operational aspects of the
decisions to be taken by the Council
- Monitoring and examining technical
co-operation projects in the broader perspective of the European patent system
and the preservation of its interests
- Operational issues concerning
quality, especially monitoring of the European Quality System as well as
technical arrangements for reuse of available patent procedure results (e.g.
searches, examination communications).
In performing its duties as outlined above, the TOSC shall inform and support the Council on technical issues pertaining to the concept of the European Patent Network, within the policy framework defined by the Council.
In addition, the TOSC shall provide the Council with advice where required on any further technical matters.
Participants:
1. Representatives of the member states
2. President of the Office supported by EPO staff
Observers:
1. States which have been invited to accede the EPC
2. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA)
3. World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO)
4. Office for Harmonization and Internal Market (OHIM)
5. Institute of Professional Representatives before the EPO (epi)
6. Board of Auditors
7. Staff Committee