2.1 General remarks 

As a matter of course, the EPO notifies those concerned of decisions and summonses and of any notice or other communication which triggers a time limit or of which those concerned must be notified either under the EPC or by order of the President of the EPO. Other communications do not have to be formally notified.

Where exceptional circumstances so require, documents may be notified via the central industrial property offices of the contracting states.

Where notification is required in proceedings before the EPO, the document notified must be:

‒ the original document 

‒ a copy of the original that has been certified by the EPO or bears the EPO seal 

‒ a computer printout bearing the EPO seal or 

‒ an electronic document containing the EPO seal or certified in some other way.  

Copies of documents emanating from the parties themselves do not need to be certified.