European Patent Guide

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European Patent Guide – Contents

Overview

European Patent Guide

How to get a European patent

24th edition

Updated to 1 July 2024

Contents

Chapter 2 – General: 2.1Introduction
2.2Nature and purpose of the European Patent Convention
2.3Relationship to other international conventions
2.4Choosing a route: national, European or international
2.4.2Legal factors
2.4.3Economic factors
2.5Extending/validating European patents to/in non-contracting states
Chapter 3 – Patentability: 3.1Introduction
3.2Invention
3.3Novelty
Basic principles
Prior rights
3.4Inventive step
Chapter 4 – Preparing and filing a European patent application: 4.1Formal requirements
4.1.1Entitlement to file European patent applications
4.1.2States for which European patent applications may be filed
4.1.3Languages for European patent applications
4.1.4Language arrangements to assist applicants from certain contracting states
4.1.5Fee-related support for small entities
4.1.6Items making up a European patent application
4.1.7Request for grant
4.1.8Designation of inventor
4.1.9Claiming priority
4.1.10Filing by reference
4.1.11Representation
4.2Presenting your invention
4.2.1Disclosing your invention
4.2.2Unity of invention
4.2.3Drafting the technical application documents
4.2.4Description
4.2.5Biotechnology applications
4.2.5.1Nucleotide and amino acid sequences
4.2.5.2Depositing biological material to supplement the description
4.2.6Claims
4.2.7Claims incurring fees
4.2.8Drawings
4.2.9Abstract
4.2.10Prohibited matter
4.2.11Unitary character of European patent applications and patents
4.3Filing European patent applications
Where and how to file
Date of filing
Acknowledgement of receipt
Applications filed with national authorities and forwarded to the EPO
Fees
Fee amounts and payment methods
Refund of fees
4.4Filing other documents
Where and how to file
Signature
Date of receipt
Acknowledgement of receipt
Chapter 5 – The European patent grant procedure: 5.1General survey
5.2Procedure up to publication of the application
Examination on filing
Examination as to formal and other requirements
European search report
Lack of unity of invention
5.3Publication of the European patent application
5.4Examination procedure
Request for examination
Stages of the procedure
Amending applications before and during examination proceedings
National requirements governing translations of European patents
5.5Opposition procedure
Opposition period
Grounds for opposition
Form and content of the notice of opposition
Examination of the notice of opposition for admissibility
Substantive examination of the opposition
5.6Limitation and revocation procedure
5.7Appeals procedure
Filing an appeal
Interlocutory revision
Stages of the procedure before the boards of appeal
Petition for review
5.8Divisional applications
5.9Renewal fees
5.10General provisions governing periods
5.10.2Missed time limits
5.10.3Completion of an omitted act
5.11How to register transfers, changes of name, licences and other rights
Transfer of rights
Changes of name
Licences and other rights

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