European Patent Office

Article 26

Citation: OJ EPO 2021, A26

Online publication date: 31.3.2021

EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE
Fees

Decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 18 March 2021 amending the Arrangements for deposit accounts (ADA) and Annex A.1 to the ADA – Arrangements for the automatic debiting procedure (AAD)

The President of the European Patent Office, having regard to Articles 5(2) and 7(2) of the Rules relating to Fees, has decided as follows:

Article 1

To align the ADA with the launch of the new filing service Online Filing 2.0, point 5.1.2 ADA is amended as follows:

"5.1.2 The debit order must be filed in an electronically processable format (XML) via one of the following:

  • EPO Online Filing, new online filing (CMS), using EPO Forms 1001E, 1200E, 2300E or 1038E, or Online Filing 2.0 using EPO Forms 1001E, 1200E or 1038E;
  • EPO Online Filing or PCT-SAFE, CMS, and ePCT using the PCT fee calculation and payment feature or Online Filing 2.0 using the PCT fee calculator and payment feature with Forms PCT/RO/101 and PCT/IPEA/401;
  • Online Fee Payment in Online services.ʺ

Article 2

Point 8.2 ADA is amended as follows:

ʺ8.2 Refund instructions must be filed in an electronically processable format, via one of the following accepted means of filing so EPO Online Filing, CMS, Online Filing 2.0 and ePCT using EPO Forms 1001E, 1200E, 1038E, PCT Form PCT/RO/101, PCT-SFD (eOLF) or PCT/IPEA/401 (eOLF and Online Filing 2.0).ʺ

Article 3

Point 1.2 AAD is amended as follows:

ʺ1.2 An automatic debit order must be filed in an electronically processable format (XML) via one of the following:

  • for European patent applications or patents and international applications before the EPO as designated or elected Office: via EPO Online Filing, new online filing (CMS) or Online Filing 2.0 using EPO Forms 1001E, 1200E or 1038E, or via Online Fee Payment in Online services
  • for international applications before the EPO as receiving Office, International Search Authority or International Preliminary Examining Authority: via EPO Online Filing or PCT-SAFE, Online Fee Payment in Online services, CMS and ePCT using the PCT fee calculation and payment feature or via Online Filing 2.0 using the PCT fee calculator and payment feature with Forms PCT/RO/101 and PCT/IPEA/401.

Points 5.1.3 and 5.4.2 ADA apply mutatis mutandis.ʺ

Article 4

Entry into force

This decision enters into force on 1 April 2021.

Done at Munich, 18 March 2021

António CAMPINOS

President