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EPC 1973 EPC 2000
Art. 96(1) R. 70
Art. 96(2), (3) Art. 94(3), (4)


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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 IV - PROCEDURE UP TO GRANT PART III - APPLICATION FOR EUROPEAN PATENTS PART V - OPPOSITION PROCEDURE
Article 96 - Examination of the European patent application Article 95 - Extension of the period within which requests for examination may be filed Article 97 - Refusal or grant


Article 96

Examination of the European patent application

R. 51, 69, 70, 86, 87



(1) If the applicant for a European patent has filed the request for examination before the European search report has been transmitted to him, the European Patent Office shall invite him after the transmission of the report to indicate, within a period to be determined, whether he desires to proceed further with the European patent application.


(2)64 If the examination of a European patent application reveals that the application or the invention to which it relates does not meet the requirements of this Convention, the Examining Division shall invite the applicant, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations and as often as necessary, to file his observations within a period to be fixed by the Examining Division.


(3) If the applicant fails to reply in due time to any invitation under paragraph 1 or paragraph 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.



64 See decisions of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 7/93, G 10/93 (Annex I).


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