European Patent Office

Supplementary publication 1, Official Journal 2021: Information from the Boards of Appeal – Presidium, business distribution and texts relating to proceedings


Online publication date: 09.02.2021

Information from the Boards of Appeal – Presidium, business distribution and texts relating to proceedings

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Note to readers - Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and measures adopted in 2020Insert

I. NOTICE CONCERNING THE COMPOSITION OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE BOARDS OF APPEAL FOR 2020/2021

I. NOTICE CONCERNING THE COMPOSITION OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE BOARDS OF APPEAL FOR 2020/20211-2

II. BUSINESS DISTRIBUTION 2021

II.1 Business distribution scheme of the Enlarged Board of Appeal for 20213-11
II.2 Business distribution scheme of the Legal Board of Appeal for 202112-13
II.3 Business distribution scheme of the Technical Boards of Appeal for 202114-27
II.4 Business distribution scheme of the Disciplinary Board of Appeal for 202128-29

III. RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE BOARDS OF APPEAL

III.1 Rules of Procedure of the Enlarged Board of Appeal30-40
III.2 Rules of Procedure of the Boards of Appeal 202041-56
III.3 Rules of Procedure of the Boards of Appeal 200757-66
III.4 Additional Rules of Procedure of the Disciplinary Board of Appeal67-75

IV. ACCELERATED PROCESSING

IV.1 Accelerated processing before the boards of appeal76

V. ELECTRONIC AUTHENTICATION OF DECISIONS

V.1 Electronic authentication of decisions of the boards of appeal77

VI. REGISTRARS OF THE BOARDS OF APPEAL

VI.1 Transfer of tasks to the Registry of the Enlarged Board of Appeal78-80
VI.2 Transfer of functions to the Registrars of the Boards of Appeal81-83

VII. ORAL PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE BOARDS OF APPEAL

VII.1 Oral proceedings before the boards of appeal84
VII.2 Oral proceedings on the EPO premises during the coronavirus pandemic85-87
VII.3 Filing of documents during oral proceedings held by videoconference88-90
VII.4 Sound-recording devices in oral proceedings before the boards of appeal91
VII.5 Use of portable computers or other electronic devices in oral proceedings before the Boards of Appeal92-93
VII.6 Use of an alternative official language in oral proceedings94
VII.7 Compensation and fees payable to witnesses and experts95-99

VIII. REPRESENTATION

VIII.1 Filing of authorisations100-101

IX. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION

IX.1 Public notification under Rule 129 EPC102

X. MAINTENANCE OF FILES, FILE INSPECTION

X.1 PHOENIX electronic file system for the creation, maintenance and preservation of files103-104
X.2 Inspection of files105-106
X.3 Documents excluded from file inspection107-108
X.4 Introducing a consolidated list and discontinuation of the practice of forwarding cited documents109-110

XI. FILING OF PATENT APPLICATIONS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS

XI.1 Filing of patent applications and other documents by facsimile111-114
XI.2 Electronic filing of documents115-120
XI.3 EPO Online Filing software121
XI.4 Electronic signatures, data carriers and software to be used for the electronic filing of patent applications and other documents122-123

XII. LATE RECEIPT OF DOCUMENTS

XII.1 Application of Rule 133 EPC on the late receipt of documents124-125

XIII. LEGAL DIVISION

XIII.1 Responsibilities of the Legal Division126

XIV. REPRESENTATIVES, EPI, DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

XIV.1 epi127-133
XIV.2 epi Code of Conduct134-139
XIV.3 Regulation on discipline for professional representatives140-150
XIV.4 Additional Rules of Procedure of the Disciplinary Committee of the epi151-161
XIV.5 Additional Rules of Procedure of the Disciplinary Board162-168

XV. STRUCTURAL REFORM OF THE BOARDS OF APPEAL

XV.1 Organisation of the Boards of Appeal and the Enlarged Board of Appeal (Rule 12 to Rule 13 EPC)169-174
XV.2 Act of Delegation175-176
XV.3 Deputy of the President of the Boards of Appeal177-178

ANNEXES

Annex 1 Index of published decisions179-182
Annex 2 Table setting out the amendments to the RPBA and the explanatory remarks183-266