EUROPEAN PATENT CONVENTION - Table of Contents Convention on the Grant of European Patents (European Patent Convention) PART X - INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY EURO-PCT APPLICATIONS Article 152 - The European Patent Office as an International Searching Authority or International...

Article 152157 The European Patent Office as an International Searching Authority or International Preliminary Examining Authority

Art. 21, 35 R. 158

The European Patent Office shall act as an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority within the meaning of the PCT, in accordance with an agreement between the Organisation and the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization, for applicants who are residents or nationals of a State party to this Convention. This agreement may provide that the European Patent Office shall also act for other applicants.

157 See Agreement between the EPO and WIPO under the PCT as of 01.11.2001 (OJ EPO 2001, 601 ff) amended with effect from 01.01.2004 (OJ EPO 2003, 631). A revised version of the agreement will probably enter into force on 13.12.2007 or 01.01.2008.
See Notice from the EPO concerning limitation of the EPO's competence as a PCT authority, OJ EPO 2006, 149 and 555.