User survey on future Ombuds services

Exchange highlights Strategic Plan 2028, Unitary Patent growth and reforms

Exchange focused on quality, timeliness and patent strategy

Users and the EPO exchanged views on the recently published 2026 EPC, PCT-EPO and UP Guidelines

Submit comments until 3 April on the EPC and PCT‑EPO Guidelines, which now include content from the former Guides, and on the UP Guidelines

Exchanges on IP awareness, the Unitary Patent system, leveraging AI and EPO quality initiatives

Exchange on quality initiatives, the Unitary Patent, Observatory and strategic foresight activities

Meeting enables in-depth discussions on the grace period, prior user rights and conflicting applications

Preview versions of the EPC, PCT-EPO and UP Guidelines 2026 are published as of today. Our annual user consultation is now open for your feedback.​

130 meetings held with increasingly diverse range of applicants and user associations, driving continuous improvement in products and services

User representatives contribute nearly 400 comments on draft EPC, PCT-EPO and UP Guidelines

Users report high satisfaction with EPO services and highlight key areas requiring further attention

Recent developments, quality, EQE, user feedback and the Observatory were among topics discussed

Constructive dialogue draws on valuable feedback from the latest round of public consultation

Share your input before 28 March to help steer the Observatory’s future priorities, projects and activities

​​Outlook on maintaining highest standards in the patent granting process

​​SACEPO meeting on the second basket of legal changes, uses of AI in the patent granting process and the convergence of practice programme​

SACEPO WP/G evaluates the results of the consultation on the Guidelines 2024 and its revision cycle

The latest EPC and PCT-EPO Guidelines enter into force on 1 March 2023, with the public user consultation continuing until 4 April.

EPO-epi working group sets out vision of a new, competence-based EQE

Preview copy of EPO Guidelines 2022 published today will come into force from 1 March; tell us your views by 15 April