Article 32

EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE

Information from the EPO

Notice from the European Patent Office dated 25 March 2024 concerning the limitation of data storage for users in Online Filing 2.0 to five years

The EPO's web-based filing service Online Filing 2.0 was launched on 1 April 2021 (OJ EPO 2021, A21). This service allows users to file European patent applications, international (PCT) applications and other documents relating to such applications or patents deriving from such applications electronically. It covers all procedures before the EPO, including procedures before the boards of appeal.

Online Filing 2.0 also allows users to search and retrieve files that they have already submitted. As of 1 April 2026, data storage for users of Online Filing 2.0 will be limited to five years after their submission of a document. As a result, the option of reusing previous data for filing (see section 8.8 Online Filing 2.0 user guide) will be limited to submissions filed within the previous five years.

The five-year limitation period will also apply to drafts saved by users in Online Filing 2.0, but not submitted. The period will start with the creation of the respective document.

As of 1 April 2026, data stored in Online Filing 2.0 for longer than five years will no longer be accessible. Users who have stored such data in Online Filing 2.0 will need to transfer it to their own repositories by 31 March 2026 if they wish to access it in the future. Straightforward export and import functions are in place to facilitate such transfers.