J 0010/20 vom 22.01.2021

Extension of periods - COVID-19 pandemic - Notice from the EPO
Protection of legitimate expectations (yes)
Statement of grounds of appeal filed within time limit (yes)
Date on which payment is made - payment through bank outside of a Contracting State
Request for further processing within time limit (no)
Request for re-establishment of rights within time limit (no)

If the European Patent Office issues a promise or statement on how to act in a given area, the principle of legitimate expectations requires that promise or statement to be honoured unless there is good reason not to do so. Users and representatives cannot be expected to question, without any apparent reason, statements on the extension of time limits which are made in publications under Rule 134(4) EPC. Even in the absence of a general dislocation in the delivery or transmission of mail, they can rely on such publications without suffering any disadvantages (points 1.12.-1.20 of the Reasons).