INFORMATION FROM THE EPO
Impact of the year 2000 on dates and patent document numbers
Regarding the coming millenium the European Patent Office has fixed its policy as follows:
- the number format of EP applications will not be changed, and in the year 2000 the application numbers will therefore start with the digits "00";
- the numbering of EP published patents will not change: the numbering sequence will continue serially, with no year-number component;
- printed dates will include a year indication of four digits wherever necessary;
- all dates on outgoing electronic media are being reviewed, with the objective of extending to a four-digit year where necessary, and at the most opportune moment.