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Guidelines for Examination in the EPO

 
 
Guidelines for Examination - Table of Contents  
Part E Guidelines on General Procedural Matters PART D    
Chapter VIII Time limits, loss of rights, further and accelerated processing and re-establishment of rights Chapter VII Interruption and suspension of the proceedings Chapter IX Applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)  
1. Time limits and loss of rights resulting from failure to respond within a time limit   2. Further processing and re-establishment of rights  
1.6 Extension of a time limit 1.5 Effect of change in priority date 1.7 Late receipt of documents  


1.6 Extension of a time limit

 

Apart from the automatic extension of time limits under Rule 134 (see VIII, 1.4) and cases in respect of which the EPC specifies a fixed period which may not be extended, the duration of time limits may be extended, but the applicant must request this extension in writing before expiry of the period that has been set. The extended period is to be calculated from the start of the original period (see Legal Advice No. 5/93 rev., Point III, OJ 4/1993, 229). No written confirmation is required for requests for extension of time limits filed by fax. For any communication raising a matter of substance, a request for extension, even if filed without reasons, should normally be allowed if the total period set does not thereby exceed six months. A short time limit for correcting a mere formal or minor deficiency should be extended under the same circumstances by two months. However, a request for a longer extension, especially if the total period set exceeds six months, should be allowed only exceptionally, when the reasons given are sufficient to show convincingly that a reply in the period previously laid down will not be possible. Such exceptional circumstances might be e.g. the fact that a representative or client is so seriously ill that he cannot deal with the case in time; or the need to perform extensive biological experiments or tests. On the other hand, foreseeable or avoidable circumstances (e.g. leave, pressure of other work) should not be accepted as a sufficiently exceptional circumstance (see Notice of the Vice-President of the Directorate-General 2 of the EPO, OJ 5/1989, 180).

 

Rule 132



If the request for an extension is granted, the party should be informed of the new time limit. Otherwise, he should be told that the relevant sanction has taken effect or will take effect (see VIII, 1.9.2).

 

If the request for extension of a time limit filed in good time has been rejected and the applicant considers this unjust, he can only overcome the ensuing loss of rights by requesting further processing under Art. 121(1) and Rule 135(1). At the same time, he may request reimbursement of the fee for further processing. A decision rejecting the request for reimbursement is open to appeal, either together with the final decision or separately, as the case may be (see J 37/89, OJ 4/1993, 201).

 

Art. 106(2)