EUROPEAN PATENT CONVENTION 1973 - Table of Contents CONVENTION PART II - SUBSTANTIVE PATENT LAW Chapter II - Persons entitled to apply for and obtain European patents - Mention of the inventor Article 61 - European patent applications by persons not having the right to a European patent

Article 61 36 European patent applications by persons not having the right to a European patent

Art. 100, 122, 128, 138 R. 6, 13-16, 31, 37, 42, 85a, 92, 95a

(1) If by a final decision it is adjudged that a person referred to in Article 60, paragraph 1, other than the applicant, is entitled to the grant of a European patent, that person may, within a period of three months after the decision has become final, provided that the European patent has not yet been granted, in respect of those Contracting States designated in the European patent application in which the decision has been taken or recognised, or has to be recognised on the basis of the Protocol on Recognition annexed to this Convention:

(a) prosecute the application as his own application in place of the applicant,

(b) file a new European patent application in respect of the same invention, or

(c) request that the application be refused.

(2) The provisions of Article 76, paragraph 1, shall apply mutatis mutandis to a new application filed under paragraph 1.

(3) The procedure to be followed in carrying out the provisions of paragraph 1, the special conditions applying to a new application filed under paragraph 1 and the time limit for paying the filing, search and designation fees on it are laid down in the Implementing Regulations.

36 See decision of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 3/92 (Annex I).