INFORMATION FROM THE EPO
Notice dated 1 June 2002 concerning the electronic filing of European patent applications and subsequent documents
The present notice describes recent developments and gives explanations concerning the decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 7 December 2000 on the electronic filing of European patent applications and subsequent documents (supplement to OJ EPO No. 4/2001)
1. The epoline® software for filing European patent applications and subsequent documents now offers much greater functionality.
2. It can now also be used for online entry into the European phase of international (PCT) applications originally filed in either electronic or paper form.
3. The technical documents (ie the description, claims, abstract and drawings) must be filed in PDF format. With the exception of the drawings, they may be combined as a single attachment to the request for grant of a European patent. Each must however start on a new page (Rule 35(5) EPC).
4. Additionally, the technical documents may be attached in their original format as well, provided this is one of those listed in the appendix below. Technical documents may be attached in original formats other than those listed only if the applicant informs the Office, when filing the application, where it can reasonably acquire the corresponding software.
5. If, on the date of filing, a European patent application's technical documents are available in both PDF and an admissible format under point 4, the non-PDF format can be used if correction of those documents is requested.
Appendix
Word-processing programs
Microsoft Word 97, 2000 & 2002
Corel WordPerfect 6.1, 8 & 10
Lotus WordPro 9.5 & 9.6
Programs that can be embedded in a word-processing document
Microsoft Excel 97, 2000 & 2002
Microsoft Visio 97, 2000 & 2002
ISIS Draw V2.2
AutoCad R14, 2000 & 2002
AutoCad Lite 98 & 2000