Security is the cornerstone of the EPO's online services. Services used with a smart card have some or all of the following security features:
These security features are implemented using the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol and smart cards (security tokens) adopting Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology.
These online services are provided with a VeriSign Global Server Certificate, so a minimum level of 128-bit SSL encryption is automatically ensured for both US and international versions of Firefox and Internet Explorer.
For information on cryptovision software, please see "Smart card reader" below.
Some products and services can be accessed with a username and password.
The European Patent Organisation provides authorised users of its Online Services with smart cards for use with digital signatures.
Smart cards are highly secure devices that encrypt signatures. To add your digital signature, all you have to do is insert your smart card into the reader and type your PIN when prompted (you will need to have installed the smart card software first before you can do this).
Online Services smart cards are created by a certification agency. They contain:
Before you insert your card, make sure that your smart card reader is switched on and working properly. The light on the side of the reader should be blinking. Once you have inserted your card, the light will stop blinking.
cryptovision (32 Bit) runs on Windows 8 or 10 (32 Bit) only.
Users of Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 will need to uncheck the Protected Mode option and disable TLS 1.1
|
Software |
Size |
Date |
Download |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Msi version 8.0 |
35 MB |
14.2.2022 |
Download |
cryptovision (64 Bit) runs on Microsoft Windows 8.x (64 Bit), Windows 10.x (64 Bit) and Windows Server 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016 and 2019 only.
Users of Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 will need to uncheck the Protected Mode option and disable TLS 1.1
|
Software |
Size |
Date |
Download |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Msi version 8.0 |
45 MB |
14.2.2022 |
Download |
Please uninstall any previous version before installing this version.
|
Software |
Size |
Date |
Download |
|---|---|---|---|
|
cryptovision
sc/interface 8.0 |
112 MB |
14.2.2022 |
Download |
|
Software |
Size |
Date |
Download |
|---|---|---|---|
|
cryptovision
sc/interface 8.0 |
327 MB |
14.2.2022 |
Download |
In a move towards smarter automation, the procedure for smart card distribution and use has recently undergone some changes.
Since November 2012, all new smart cards issued to new or existing users are now dispatched by courier. For security reasons, the PIN is sent separately by post a few days later. However, these new cards still need to be activated for use at the EPO. And if you want to file with a national patent office, your smart card will also need to be activated on that office's website.
You should now have smart card access and be able to use our online services including online filing. For the latest smart card software and any further issues, please contact us.
When a user with a smart card leaves your company/organisation, you must do the following:
Inform EPO Customer Services either using the contact form, by phone or via e-mail to support@epo.org. Customer Services will then ensure that the user's smart card is no longer linked to your company.
Meanwhile your company administrator must remove the rights to all online services via the Administration page on EPO website so that the relevant smart card can no longer be used to make payments, for instance, from your company's deposit account. More information on how to do this can be found in our FAQs.
Attention: these actions must be performed even if you have already sent a request for withdrawal of representation in respect of the relevant user (via MyFiles).
If the user is registered for the Online Filing 2.0 service, your company administrator should remove his or her user account via Managing access rights, as explained in the User guide (section 17).
