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European Patent Convention (EPC 1973)

A revised version of the European Patent Convention entered into force on 13 December 2007. The provisions of the revised Convention apply unless the transitional provisions provide for the applicability of the EPC 1973.
EUROPEAN PATENT CONVENTION 1973 - Table of Contents
CONVENTION Preface Implementing Regulations
PART VII - COMMON PROVISIONS PART VI - APPEALS PROCEDURE PART VIII - IMPACT ON NATIONAL LAW
Chapter I - Common provisions governing procedure   Chapter II - Information to the public or official authorities
Article 120 - Time limits Article 119 - Notification Article 121 - Further processing of the European patent application


Article 120

Time limits

R. 83-85b, 108



The Implementing Regulations shall specify:


(a) the manner of computation of time limits and the conditions under which such time limits may be extended, either because the European Patent Office or the authorities referred to in Article 75, paragraph 1(b), are not open to receive documents or because mail is not delivered in the localities in which the European Patent Office or such authorities are situated or because postal services are generally interrupted or subsequently dislocated;


(b) the minima and maxima for time limits to be determined by the European Patent Office.



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