Reminder - 2009 fee structure: transitional arrangements for international applications entering the regional phase

Applicants' attention is drawn to the transitional arrangements for international applications entering the regional phase contained in point 4 of the Notice from the European Patent Office dated 26 January 2009 concerning the 2009 fee structure.

In particular, for applications for which the 30-month time limit under Article 22 PCT expires on or after 1 April 2009, entry into the regional phase before this date is possible only if an express request for early processing (Article 23 or 40 PCT) has been made and the acts required under Rule 159(1) EPC have been completed before this date. The express request is not contained in the form for entry into the European phase (EPO Form 1200) but must be made separately (see "How to get a European patent - Euro-PCT" Guide for Applicants Part 2, 4th edition April 2008, especially points 292 to 295).

For further details see point 4.3 of said Notice.