EUROPEAN PATENT CONVENTION - Table of Contents Implementing Regulations to the Convention on the Grant of European Patents PART VII - IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS TO PART VII OF THE CONVENTION Chapter IX - Information to the public Rule 146 - Communication of information contained in the files

Rule 146
Communication of information contained in the files

Subject to the restrictions laid down in Article 128, paragraphs 1 to 4, and in Rule 144, the European Patent Office may, upon request, communicate information concerning any file relating to a European patent application or European patent, subject to the payment of an administrative fee. However, the European Patent Office may refer to the option of file inspection where it deems this to be appropriate in view of the quantity of information to be supplied.