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Other contacts

Want to file a complaint, give us feedback or contact the Ombuds Office?

Filing a complaint or giving feedback:

If you are not satisfied with our products or services, want to suggest improvements or would like to give us positive feedback, please contact us using the web form: 

Open complaint/feedback form

 Ombuds Office:

This is a service for anyone experiencing difficulties in dealings with the EPO. In such cases, we:

• deal with cases informally and confidentially
• take a collaborative and solution-oriented approach

Please note that the EPO Ombuds Office is not a legal instance.

You can contact us via

[email protected]

More information about the Ombuds Office

 

Which of the above EPO feedback channels is the right one for my situation?

Depending on your objectives, you may select one of the EPO's feedback channels:

Complaint

• Formal process with written reply
• May relate to a specific file
• May trigger a corrective action
• Complaint and its reply will be added to the public part of the file

Open complaint form

Feedback

• Formal process with written reply
• Specific or generic observation
• Not triggering corrective action but suggestion for improvement
• Also for a positive feedback

Open feedback form

Ombuds Office

• Informal, confidential, collaborative and solution oriented
• Brings the external perspective in
• Exploring available options for resolution together with client
• Organisational Ombuds, not a legal instance

Contact us at [email protected]

Examples

Example 1: Due to different interpretations of a particular word the applicant and the examiner could not reach an agreement.

Example 2: I believe that my search is not complete

Complaint

• "I seek a consolidated, formal reply from the competent unit."
• "I need transparency – my remark shall be visible on the public file."
• "I wish for a corrective action, e.g. continuation of the search procedure."

Feedback

• "I want to make the EPO aware of my (positive/negative) client experience."
• "I do not expect a specific corrective action but want my feedback to be considered for future developments.

Ombuds Office

• "A dialogue with the examiner will bring clarification and strengthen the working relationship."
• "I am curious and want to prepare a way forward in an informal setting."
• "I wish to be heard by a neutral person to elaborate on possible options."

Want to contact the Boards of Appeal? 

The Boards of Appeal are the first and final judicial instance in procedures before the European Patent Office.

Address:
Richard-Reitzner-Allee 8
85540 Haar
Germany

Contact via online form

More information about the Boards of Appeal

Need to speak to a member of our press team? 

You can reach our media relations team at:

[email protected]

More information about the press team

Need to contact the EQE secretariat? 

If you are a candidate for the European Qualifying Examination, you can contact the EQE secretariat at:

Address:
European Patent Office
European Qualifying Examination
Examination Secretariat
80298 Munich
Germany

[email protected]

More information about EQE

Want to speak to any other department? 

If you want to speak to any other department, just call one of our branch numbers and we will transfer your call to the department you want to reach. Please note that calls relating to procedural matters and/or online services will be transferred to Customer Support.

Munich: +49 (0)89 2399-0
The Hague: +31 70 340-2040
Berlin: +49 30 259 01-0
Vienna: +43 (0)1 52126-0
Brussels: +32 (0) 227415-90

Monday to Friday,
08.00-18.00 hrs CET/CEST
except for Brussels - 17.00 hrs CET/CEST

Are you an SME wanting to find out how to protect your technology? 

Are you a small or medium-sized enterprise interested in a patent or a private applicant? We have dedicated resources available for you.

Find out more or email us at:

[email protected]

Do you want to visit us?

Addresses and information for visitors to our buildings in Munich, The Hague, Berlin, Vienna and Haar.

See our locations