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EPC 1973 EPC 2000
R. 17 R. 19


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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
IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS TO THE CONVENTION ON THE GRANT OF EUROPEAN PATENTS European Patent Convention Protocol on Recognition
PART II - IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS TO PART II OF THE CONVENTION PART I - IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS TO PART I OF THE CONVENTION PART III - IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS TO PART III OF THE CONVENTION
Chapter II - Mention of the inventor Chapter I - Procedure where the applicant or proprietor is not entitled Chapter III - Registering transfers, licences and other rights
Rule 17 - Designation of the inventor   Rule 18 - Publication of the mention of the inventor


Rule 17

Designation of the inventor

Art. 62, 81
R. 19, 42, 111



(1) The designation of the inventor shall be filed in the request for the grant of a European patent. However, if the applicant is not the inventor or is not the sole inventor, the designation shall be filed in a separate document; the designation must state the family name, given names and full address of the inventor and the statement referred to in Article 81 and shall bear the signature of the applicant or his representative.


(2) The European Patent Office shall not verify the accuracy of the designation of the inventor.


(3)19 If the applicant is not the inventor or is not the sole inventor, the European Patent Office shall inform the designated inventor of the data in the document designating him and the further data mentioned in Article 128, paragraph 5.


(4) The applicant and the inventor may invoke neither the omission of the notification under paragraph 3 nor any errors contained therein.



19 Amended by decision of the Administrative Council of 08.12.1988 which entered into force on 01.04.1989 (OJ EPO 1989, 1).


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