List of sections amended in 2025 revision

General Part

General Part, 5

New paragraph on the responsibility of parties to meet the EPC requirements even if submissions are prepared by AI

PART A

A‑II, 6.1

Clarification of practice under Rule 56a EPC

A‑II, 4.1.3.1

Updated to reflect the fee reduction scheme under Rule 7a EPC

A‑III, 12.1

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic added as validation state

A‑X, 10.3.3

New subsection on claiming refunds in Central Fee Payment

PART B

B‑VIII, 4.1

Clarification of practice regarding search of several independent claims per category in view of Rule 43(2) EPC

B‑X, 11.1

Change of practice regarding access to patent literature documents (OJ EPO 2024, A68)

PART C

C‑IV, 7.5

Change of practice regarding access to patent literature documents (OJ EPO 2024, A68)

C‑VII, 2.3
C‑VII, 2.4
C‑VII, 3

Added references to the shared area in MyEPO Portfolio

C‑VII, 2.6

New section on real-time interaction on a document in the shared area in MyEPO Portfolio

PART D

D‑IV, 1.2.1

Change of practice regarding the requirement to file authorisations

D‑VII, 1.2

Update on accelerated opposition proceedings

PART E

E‑VIII, 4.3

New Zealand and Chile added as PPH partner offices

E‑VIII, 5

Update on practice regarding accelerated opposition in cases of parallel court proceedings

E‑IX, 2.1.4

Section brought into line with G 4/08

E‑IX, 2.8.1

New section on early processing combined with further acceleration measures

PART G

G‑II, 3.3.1

Clarification of definition of artificial intelligence and machine learning

PART H

H‑VI, 2.2

Clarification of practice regarding allowability, in line with G 1/12

General Part

General Part, 3

Added information about the Unitary Patent Guidelines which enter into force in April 2025

General Part, 8

Added reference to the Unitary Patent Guidelines

PART A

A‑II, 1.1.1

Updated to specify that certain submissions can be permissibly filed via MyEPO Portfolio

A‑II, 1.1.2
A‑IV, 1.3.1
A‑VIII, 2.5

Updated to reflect abolition of fax and web-form filing

A‑II, 1.2

Updated information on sub-offices and availability of the automatic mailboxes

A‑II, 1.5

Added reference to OJ EPO 2024, A81

A‑II, 3.1

Updated to reflect the decommissioning of web-form filing

A‑II, 4.1.1

Clarification of practice regarding EPO Form 1001

A‑II, 5.1

Clarification of practice regarding missing parts of the claims

A‑II, 6.1

Clarification concerning filing of claims after the date of filing

A‑III, 2.1

Added reference to OJ notice on new authorisation rules

A‑III, 4.2.1
A‑III, 11.2.4

Updated in view of Art. 5s(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745 (sanctions against Russia)

A‑III, 5.6

New subsection on changing the order of inventors

A‑III, 6.6

Clarification concerning the priority period under Art. 87(1) EPC

A‑III, 6.7

Restructured by adding subsections

A‑III, 6.12

Deletion of redundant information from point (iv)

A‑III, 11.2.1
A‑III, 11.3.1

Update on the reduction of designation fee

A‑III, 13.1

Deletion of redundant information about fee reduction

A‑III, 13.2
A‑III, 13.3
A‑IV, 1.8
A‑VI, 2.6

Updated by adding information on fee reductions under the language arrangements and the scheme for micro-entities

A‑IV, 1.3.4

Added paragraph on Art. 5s(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745 and new Rule 39(2a) and Rule 36(5) EPC

A‑IV, 1.4.1
A‑IV, 1.4.1.1

Restructured to reflect Rule 7a(1) and Rule 7a(3) EPC

A‑IV, 5

Clarification concerning sequence identification numbers

A‑V, 3

Reworded for ease of reading

A‑VI, 2.2

Updated OJ reference

A‑VIII, 1.2

Update on use of MyEPO Portfolio by professional representatives

A‑VIII, 1.3

Restructured by moving content from former section A‑VIII, 1.5

A‑VIII, 1.5

Clarification concerning the appointment of a common representative

A‑VIII, 1.6

Update on signature requirements for legal practitioners

A‑VIII, 1.8
A‑VIII, 1.9

Restructured by adding new subsection

A‑VIII, 3.1
A‑VIII, 3.3

Updated to reflect abolition of smart cards

A‑X, 1

Added information about MyEPO Portfolio

A‑X, 4.1
A‑X, 4.4

Added reference to automatic validation of certain categories of fees

A‑X, 4.2.1

Added reference to OJ notice on the revision of the ADA

A‑X, 4.2.3

Clarification of practice regarding exceptional use of the EPO Contingency Upload Service to file debit orders

A‑X, 5.1.1

Clarification concerning rejection of payments

A‑X, 5.2.4

Clarification concerning renewal fees or additional fees under Rule 51(2) EPC

A‑X, 5.2.5

Added reference to Euro-PCT applications

A‑X, 5.2.7
A‑XI, 1

Updated to include information on MyEPO Portfolio

A‑X, 7.1.1

Clarification concerning bank transfers

A‑X, 9

Restructured and revised in view of fee-related support measures for SMEs and micro-entities (Rule 7a(1) and Rule 7a(3) EPC), OJ EPO 2024, A3 and OJ EPO 2024, A8

A‑X, 10.1

Added references to repayment of renewal fees

A‑X, 10.2.1

Redundant information removed and OJ reference updated

A‑X, 10.2.5
A‑X, 10.2.6
A‑X, 10.3.2

Added information on which body refunds the appeal fee in the case of a withdrawal

A‑X, 10.3.1

Clarification concerning claiming of refunds

A‑XI, 2.5

Updated to reflect file inspection via MyEPO Portfolio

A‑XI, 3
A‑XI, 5.1
A‑XI, 5.2

Update on communication of information by EPO

PART B

B‑II, 4.4

Outdated reference to the Euro-PCT Guide removed

B‑X, 9.4

Clarification of practice regarding relevant parts cited in the search report and search opinion

B‑X, 11.2
B‑X, 11.4
B‑X, 12

Updated by adding reference to MyEPO Portfolio and related change of practice (OJ EPO 2024, A68)

PART C

C‑I, 2

Update on the work of examiners

C‑II, 1.2

Clarification of practice regarding Euro-PCT applications

C‑II, 3.2

Outdated reference removed

C‑III, 3.1

Update on searches under Rule 164(2) EPC

C‑III, 3.2.1

Update on non-payment of additional search fees

C‑III, 3.4

Refund of additional search fees under Rule 64(2) and Rule 164(5) EPC

C‑III, 4

Restructured by moving content from section C‑VIII, 5.1

C‑V, 1.1

Clarification of definition of omnibus claims

C‑V, 4

Added examples concerning title and its translations

C‑V, 15.2

Clarification of practice regarding decisions by means of a standard form

C‑VII, 2.1

Added reference to the new section C‑VII, 2.6

C‑VIII, 5.1

Restructured by moving two paragraphs to C‑III, 4

PART D

D‑II, 2.2

Correction of name

D‑II, 4.1

Clarification concerning impartiality of the opposition division

D‑III, 3.3
D‑III, 3.4
D‑IV, 1.2.1

Clarification of practice regarding abolition of fax

D‑III, 5

Updated in view of prohibition of double patenting under Art. 125 EPC

D‑IV, 5.2

Clarification concerning invitation to file observations

D‑IV, 5.3

Consolidated with the content deleted from H‑IV, 5.3, and added reference to Rule 43(2) EPC

D‑IV, 5.5

Clarification concerning consequence of decisions rejecting an opposition as inadmissible

D‑V, 2.2

Clarification concerning burden of proof

D‑VI, 1

Clarification of practice regarding inspections

D‑VI, 4.2

Updated by adding references to Parts E, D and H

D‑VI, 7.2.3
D‑VII, 4.3
D‑VIII, 1.2.2
D‑X, 5
D‑X, 6
D‑X, 7.1

Reference to publishing fee deleted in view of amended Rule 82(2) and (3), see OJ EPO 2024, A3

D‑X, 2.2

Adapted reference to Part A‑VIII, 1.5

D‑X, 4.3

Restructured by adding subsections

PART E

E‑III, 8.3.1

Update on legal practitioners

E‑III, 8.3.3.3

Added reference to OJ EPO 2020, A124

E‑V, 6

Updated by removing outdated passage

E‑VII, 1.5

Updated to remain in line with the wording of Rule 142(4) EPC

E‑VIII, 6

Added reference to EPO website

E‑IX, 1

Added reference to Art. 11(3) PCT

E‑IX, 2

Updated as regards EPO as a designated Office for any EPC contracting state and in view of Art. 5s(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745 (sanctions against Russia)

E‑IX, 2.1

Update on applicant decisions to proceed with international applications before designated/elected Offices

E‑IX, 2.1.1

Added reference to relevant EPC Rule

E‑IX, 2.1.2

Updated to remain in line with E‑IX, 4.3.1

E‑IX, 2.1.3

Updated on the basis of Rule 47.3(a) PCT

E‑IX, 2.1.5

Subdivided into new subsections

E‑IX, 2.3

Updated title of section

E‑IX, 2.3.1

Updated in view of Art. 5s(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745 (sanctions against Russia)

E‑IX, 2.3.2

Clarification concerning physical requirements

E‑IX, 2.3.4

Added reference to Rule 19 EPC

E‑IX, 2.3.5.1

Added reference to Art. 40(2) PCT

E‑IX, 2.3.5.2

Updated in view of Rule 141(1) EPC

E‑IX, 2.3.5.3

Added reference to Rule 49ter.2(b) PCT and Rule 136(2) EPC

E‑IX, 2.3.8

Clarification of practice regarding calculation of the claims fees (Rule 159(1)(b) EPC)

E‑IX, 2.3.11
E‑IX, 2.3.12

Moved to new subsections E‑IX, 2.1.5.2 and E‑IX, 2.1.5.5

E‑IX, 2.4.2

Updated by adding information on WIPO Standard ST.25

E‑IX, 2.4.4

Added reference to OJ EPO 2010, 498

E‑IX, 2.5.1

Updated list of bibliographical data that are published with the translation of the international application

E‑IX, 2.5.2

Outdated passage deleted

E‑IX, 2.5.3

Added references to B‑XI, 8; B‑XI, 7; B‑VIII and E‑IX, 3.1

E‑IX, 2.7

Wording amended to refer to elected Office

E‑IX, 2.8

Clarification of practice relating to necessary requirements in view of Rule 159(1) EPC

E‑IX, 3

Update on the communication under Rule 161 EPC

E‑IX, 3.1

Clarification of practice regarding extended supplementary European search report

E‑IX, 3.2

Clarification of practice regarding payment of claims fees in view of Rule 162(2) EPC

E‑IX, 3.3.3

Outdated information deleted

E‑IX, 3.4

Clarification of practice regarding communication under Rule 137(4) EPC

E‑XII, 1

Added reference to information on appeal proceedings on EPO website

E‑XII, 6

Section updated in view of amended Rule 6 and new Rule 7a

E‑XIV, 1

Wording made clearer

E‑XIV, 3

Update concerning requests for transfers filed via MyEPO Portfolio

E‑XIV, 4

Clarification of practice regarding expiry of the opposition period

E‑XIV, 6.1

Clarification of practice regarding registration of licences and other rights

PART F

F‑II, 6.2.1
F‑II, 6.2.2
F‑II, 6.2.3

Added reference to WIPO Standard ST.26

F‑III, 3

Updated example

F‑III, 6.1

Added footnote referring to Art. 3 of WIPO International Legal Instrument

F‑IV, 3.8

Reference to T 642/94 removed

F‑V, 3.2.1

Clarification concerning plurality of inventions vs single general inventive concept

PART G

G‑II, 3.3

Clarification concerning technical contribution of mathematical methods in view of G 1/19

G‑IV, 5.4

Clarification concerning terminology "same subject-matter" in view of G 1/05 and G 4/19

G‑VII, 5.2
G‑VII, 11

Update on practice regarding technical teachings in view of G 2/21

G‑VII, 12

Added new paragraph referring to T 2108/21

PART H

H‑II, 3.1

Clarification concerning amendments related to the ground for opposition

H‑II, 3.2

Restructured by moving one paragraph from H‑II, 3.1

H‑II, 3.4
H‑V, 4.1

Removal of redundant reference to T decision

H‑III, 2.1

Clarification concerning the basis for amendment

H‑III, 2.1.1

Clarification of practice regarding communication under Rule 137(4) EPC

H‑III, 2.3

Restructured by deleting redundant information

H‑IV, 4.1.2

Wording adapted to Rule 137(5) EPC

H‑IV, 5
H‑IV, 5.1
H‑IV, 5.4.1
H‑IV, 5.4.2
H‑IV, 5.4.3

Deletion of redundant section and subsection on compliance of amendments with other EPC requirements

H‑IV, 5.2
H‑IV, 5.3

Deleted, as content already covered in Part C and D respectively

H‑IV, 5.4

Deleted and content moved to D‑X, 4.3 and subsections

H‑V, 8

Clarification concerning responsibility for the title in all three official languages

General Part

General Part, 1; General Part, 2.1; General Part, 2.2

PART A

A‑II, 1.2; A‑II, 1.3; A‑II, 1.7.1; A‑II, 1.7.2; A‑II, 4.1; A‑II, 4.1.2; A‑II, 4.1.3.1; A‑II, 4.1.4; A‑II, 4.1.5; A‑II, 5.2; A‑II, 5.3; A‑II, 5.4; A‑II, 5.5; A‑II, 6.2; A‑II, 6.3; A‑II, 6.4; A‑II, 6.5; A‑II, 6.7;

A‑III, 3.2.2; A‑III, 4.1; A‑III, 5.1; A‑III, 5.4; A‑III, 6.1; A‑III, 6.5.1; A‑III, 6.8.6; A‑III, 6.9; A‑III, 9; A‑III, 11.1; A‑III, 11.2.5; A‑III, 11.3.9; A‑III, 14; A‑III, 15; A‑III, 16.2;

A‑IV, 1.1; A‑IV, 1.2.1; A‑IV, 1.2.2; A‑IV, 1.3.4; A‑IV, 1.4.3; A‑IV, 2.2.3; A‑IV, 2.2.4; A‑IV, 4.1.2; A‑IV, 4.3; A‑IV, 4.4; A‑IV, 5.1; A‑IV, 5.3; A‑IV, 6;

A‑V, 3;

A‑VI, 1.1; A‑VI, 1.3; A‑VI, 2.3; A‑VI, 2.5;

A‑VII, 1.1; A‑VII, 1.2; A‑VII, 2; A‑VII, 7;

A‑VIII, 1.1; A‑VIII, 1.7; A‑VIII, 2.4;

A‑X, 4.2.2; A‑X, 5.2.1; A‑X, 5.2.2; A‑X, 6.2.4; A‑X, 10.1.3; A‑X, 10.3;

A‑XI, 2.2

PART B

B‑II, 4.3;

B‑III, 3.3.1;

B‑IV, 2.3;

B‑VI, 2; B‑VI, 3; B‑VI, 4.1; B‑VI, 4.1.1; B‑VI, 5.1; B‑VI, 5.2; B‑VI, 5.4; B‑VI, 5.5; B‑VI, 5.6; B‑VI, 6.2;

B‑VIII, 3; B‑VIII, 6;

B‑X, 9.2.4; B‑X, 9.2.5; B‑X, 9.2.6;

B‑XI, 2.1; B‑XI, 2.2

PART C

C‑II, 1;

C‑III, 1.1.1; C‑III, 1.1.2; C‑III, 1.2; C‑III, 1.3; C‑III, 2.2; C‑III, 7;

C‑IV, 7.1; C‑IV, 7.3;

C‑V, 1.5; C‑V, 4.7.1;

C‑IX, 1.1; C‑IX, 1.4; C‑IX, 2.1

PART D

D‑I, 4;

D‑VII, 8

PART E

E‑II, 2.3; E‑II, 2.4; E‑II, 2.5;

E‑III, 7.2.2; E‑III, 8.9;

E‑IV, 1.6.7; E‑IV, 1.11.1; E‑IV, 4.3; E‑IV, 4.5;

E‑V, 4;

E‑VII, 1.2; E‑VII, 1.4;

E‑VIII, 3.2; E‑VIII, 4.1; E‑VIII, 7;

E‑IX, 2.4.1; E‑IX, 2.6; E‑IX, 2.7;

E‑X, 1.2; E‑X, 2;

E‑XIV, 6.2

PART F

F‑II, 2.3; F‑II, 6.1;

F‑III, 6.3; F‑III, 6.4, F‑III, 6.5; F‑III, 8; F‑III, 10;

F‑IV, 4.3; F‑IV, 4.12; F‑IV, 4.24; F‑IV, 6.2;

F‑V, 3;

F‑VI, 1.1; F‑VI, 1.3; F‑VI, 1.4; F‑VI, 2.3; F‑VI, 2.4.2; F‑VI, 3.2; F‑VI, 3.4; F‑VI, 3.5

PART G

G‑II, 5.2; G‑II, 5.3; G‑II, 5.4; G‑II, 5.4.2.1; G‑II, 5.5.1;

G‑IV, 3; G‑IV, 5.1; G‑IV, 5.1.1; G‑IV, 5.1.2;

G‑V, 2;

G‑VI, 6;

G‑VII, 3.1; G‑VII, 5.1

PART H

H‑II, 2.6; H‑II, 6.4.1; H‑II, 6.4.2;

H‑III, 3.5.2;

H‑IV, 2.1; H‑IV, 4.1.2;

H‑V, 4.2.2;

H‑VI, 3; H‑VI, 3.1