1.10.1 Expenses for travel and subsistence 

Witnesses and experts who are summoned by and appear before the EPO are entitled to appropriate reimbursement from the EPO of their travel and subsistence expenses (see E‑IV, 1.10.3). This applies equally to witnesses and experts summoned by the EPO to appear before it at oral proceedings held by videoconference for the expenses they incur in travelling to the place where they make themselves available for their appearance (e.g. a videoconference facility provided by one of the parties or a venue with a sufficiently stable internet connection).

The same applies even if the witnesses or experts are not heard, e.g. where they are due to give evidence of an alleged prior use but the prior use is substantiated by an already published document shortly before their evidence is taken. Witnesses and experts may be granted an advance on their travel and subsistence expenses. Witnesses and experts who appear before the EPO without being summoned by it but are heard as witnesses or experts will also be entitled to appropriate reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses.