Article 55

EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE

Representation

Notice from the European Patent Office dated 12 May 2015 concerning representation before the EPO

Under Article 134(1) EPC, representation of natural or legal persons in proceedings established by the EPC may only be undertaken by professional representatives whose names appear on a list maintained for this purpose by the EPO.

In accordance with the President's decision dated 21 November 2013 concerning the responsibilities of the Legal Division (OJ EPO 2013, 600), the EPO's Legal Division is responsible for maintaining the list of professional representatives. The Legal Division should therefore be informed without delay of any changes, in particular in a professional representative's nationality or business address (Rule 154(2)(b) and (c) EPC).

Requests for (re-)entry on, changes in or deletion from the list of professional representatives must be sent in writing to the Legal Division of the EPO (Directorate 5.2.3). If the request is for (re-)entry, the original must be filed; all other requests can also be filed by facsimile or online. However, requests filed by electronic mail only are not valid.

The updating of the list is free of charge. Use of Form 52300, 52301, 52303 or 52306 (as applicable), available at www.epo.org/applying/online-services/representatives.html, is not compulsory, but strongly recommended.