Published by the European Patent Office
General Part
Contents
1.
Preliminary remarks
2.
Explanatory notes
2.1
Overview
2.2
Abbreviations
3.
General remarks
4.
Work at the EPO
5.
Survey of the processing of applications and patents at the EPO
6.
Contracting States to the EPC
7.
Extension to states not party to the EPC
Part A - Guidelines for Formalities Examination
Chapter I
Introduction
Chapter II
Filing of applications and examination on filing
Chapter III
Examination of formal requirements
Chapter IV
Special provisions
Chapter V
Communicating the formalities report; amendment of application; correction of errors
Chapter VI
Publication of application; request for examination and transmission of the dossier to Examining Division
Chapter VII
Applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) before the EPO acting as a designated or elected Office
Chapter VIII
Languages
Chapter IX
Common provisions
Chapter X
Drawings
Chapter XI
Fees
Chapter XII
Inspection of files; communication of information contained in files;
consultation of the Register of European Patents; issuance of certified copies
Part B - Guidelines for Search
General
Characteristics of the search
Search procedure and strategy
Preclassification (routing) and official classification of European patent applications
The state of the art
Unity of invention
Subject-matter to be excluded from the search
Search documentation
Search report
The abstract
- Annex
Checklist for considering the abstract (see XI, 5)
The search opinion
Part C - Guidelines for Substantive Examination
Content of a European patent application (other than claims)
Units recognised in international practice and complying with Rule 49(11)
(see II, 4.16)
Claims
Patentability
Examples relating to the requirement of inventive step - indicators (see IV, 11.13)
Priority
Examination procedure
Part D - Guidelines for Opposition and Limitation/Revocation Procedures
The Opposition Division
Opposition
Procedure up to substantive examination
Substantive examination of opposition
Procedure for the examination of the opposition
Details and special features of the proceedings
Decisions of the Opposition Division
Costs
Limitation and revocation procedure
Part E - Guidelines on General Procedural Matters
Communications and notifications
Procedure for amendments to documents
Oral proceedings
Taking and conservation of evidence
Derogations from the language of the proceedings in oral proceedings
Examination by the EPO of its own motion; facts, evidence or grounds not submitted in due time; observations by third parties
Interruption and suspension of the proceedings
Time limits, loss of rights, further and accelerated processing and re-establishment of rights
Applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Decisions
Appeals
Request from a national court for a technical opinion concerning a European patent
Chapter XIII
Registering transfers, licences, other rights, etc.
