ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
Decisions of the Administrative Council
Decision of the Administrative Council of 11 October 2000 amending the Implementing Regulations to the European Patent Convention
THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANISATION
Having regard to the European Patent Convention (EPC), and in particular Article 33(1)(b) thereof,
On a proposal from the President of the European Patent Office,
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Patent Law,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
The Implementing Regulation to the EPC shall be amended as follows:
1. The following new Rule 38a shall be inserted:
"Rule 38a
Issuing priority documents
On request, the European Patent Office shall issue a certified copy of the European patent application (priority document) to the applicant. The President of the European Patent Office shall determine all necessary arrangements, including the form of the priority document and the circumstances in which an administrative fee is payable."
2. Rule 94 shall be amended to read as follows:
"Rule 94
Procedures for the inspection of files
(1) Inspection of the files of European patent applications and patents shall either be of the original document, or of copies thereof, or of technical means of storage if the files are stored in this way.
(2) The President of the European Patent Office shall determine all file-inspection arrangements, including the circumstances in which an administrative fee is payable."
Article 2
This decision shall enter into force on 2 November 2000.
Done at Munich, 11 October 2000.
For the Administrative Council
The Chairman
Roland GROSSENBACHER