2.3. Notification by delivery by hand and public notification

Under R. 128 EPC notification may be effected on the premises of the EPO by delivery by hand of the document to the addressee, who must on delivery acknowledge its receipt. Notification is deemed to have been effected even if the addressee refuses to accept the document or to acknowledge receipt thereof.

If the address of the addressee cannot be established, or if notification in accordance with R. 126(1) EPC has proved to be impossible even after a second attempt, notification shall be effected by public notice (R. 129(1) EPC). In this case, the document is deemed to have been notified one month after publication of notification in the European Patent Bulletin. See the decision of the President of the EPO dated 14 July 2007 concerning public notification under R. 129 EPC (OJ 2007, Special edition No. 3, 127).