The 17th edition of the European Patent Convention is available. It contains:
It also contains an index of decisions and opinions of the Enlarged Board of Appeal published in the EPO's Official Journal (Annex I) and an EPC 1973EPC 2000 crossreference index (Annex II).
Only the HTML version of the EPC is regularly updated and shows all texts as currently in force, i.e. with any amendments (e.g. to the Implementing Regulations) included as from their entry into force.
To facilitate searching offline and printing, selected instruments are available as amended since the print edition for download in PDF format: European Patent Convention (EPC), Implementing Regulations and Rules relating to Fees.
The PDF file contains the latest print edition of the EPC (currently the 17th, published in December 2020) and so does not reflect any amendments adopted by the Administrative Council since its publication. However, all such amendments are listed at the start.
This is the best version to use for browsing the entire text (EPC, plus protocols, etc.) offline and for full-text searching.
For up-to-date information on procedural fees, please also consult the Official Journal and European (EPC) fees sections on the EPO website.
Printed copies of the European Patent Convention (17th edition / November 2020) can be ordered in our online shop.