5.2 What are the requirements for entry into the European phase?
5.2.1.Which steps have to be taken for entry into the European phase?
5.2.001The process generally referred to as "entry into the European phase" is not an act in itself but may be described as a series of "steps" to be taken or, in other words, as a bundle of requirements to be fulfilled within 31 months of the international filing date or, where applicable, the earliest priority date claimed for the international application ("31-month time limit"). Which requirements are to be fulfilled within the 31-month time limit depends to a certain extent on the particular case.
5.2.002Some requirements must be fulfilled in every case, such as payment of the filing fee (point 5.7.001) and specification of the documents on which processing in the European phase is to be based (points 5.4.001 ff). Further, as a rule, the designation fee is due and the request for examination must be filed on expiry of the 31-month time limit for entry into the European phase unless the ISR was published extremely late (see points 5.8.001, 5.10.004). However, the filing of a translation, for instance, is required only if the international application was not published in an official language of the EPO (points 5.5.001 ff). This means that for each application the applicant must verify which requirements are to be fulfilled within the 31-month time limit.
5.2.003If the applicant does not fulfil all requirements that must be met within the 31-month time limit, in many cases – depending on exactly which requirement was not met – the effect is that the application is deemed to be withdrawn as from the date of expiry of that time limit. Any loss of rights may be remedied, but only if the strict requirements under which a remedy applies are fulfilled in due time. If not, the application is irreversibly lost. Each of the requirements will be discussed in detail below (see points 5.2.005 ff).
5.2.004All requirements in respect of which non-timely compliance results in a loss of rights (directly) upon expiry of the 31-month time limit are listed in Rule 159 EPC. In view of that legal effect they are usually referred to as "minimum requirements" for entry into the European phase.