You can download the software here:
Nothing. The service is free of charge.
You need a smart card, a smart card reader (including software) and the Online Filing software itself.
You can order your smart card online. You will be sent a starter kit consisting of a smart card and a smart card reader. Your smart card is valid for five years.
Yes, you can. There are two ways of filing via our webpage:
Please follow the links below for more information:
Using the Online Filing (OLF) software you can file the following documents with the EPO: EP (EP(1001E2K)), Euro-PCT (EP(1200E2K)), PCT (PCT/RO/101) applications as well as subsequent actions including appeals (EP(1038E)), EP (Oppo) documents and PCT subsequently filed documents (PCT-SFD) as well as PCT demands (PCT/IPEA/401). You can also file national patent applications (DE, FI, GB, NL, PL, SE, SK, and so on), EP(1001E2K) and PCT/RO/101 at national offices that accept submissions made using the Online Filing software.
Yes.
According to the decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 21 September 2020 concerning the EPO Online Filing software to be used for the electronic filing of documents (EPO OJ 2020/09, A105), electronic filings using versions earlier than version 5.12 (build 5.0.12.176) will not be accepted by the EPO's receiving server from 1 December 2020 onwards.
The SP12 full installation incorporates updates up to 20 April 2020 and security updates which must be applied to all installations, including thin client.
Download the full package, launch it and then follow the instructions on screen. For full installation instructions, please see the Installation Guide.
Install further packages in date order (oldest first) or enable Live Update once the full package has been installed.
Do not deinstall previous versions, as you may delete your database in the process.
On the File Manager screen, click Help > Info.
The About File Manager window provides information on the type of installation and the build numbers for the modules currently installed. It is important to have this data to hand when talking to Customer Services.
The lower part of the window contains information on all the national procedures installed.
To see all the plug-ins, scroll down this pane.
Navigate to the OLF installation folder (normally C:\Program Files (x86)\EPO_OLF5 for stand-alone installations or C:\Program Files (x86)\EPO_OLF5-TC for client-only installations)
Find the executable OLFClient.exe and right-click on OLFClient.exe
Select Properties, select Details and view the file version
An OLF server should be already installed in your network before you install a thin client.
To install the thin client, you can either revert to the installation file OLF512.exe or use the thin client installation files. You can find the thin client installation files OLF512client.exe or OLF512client.msi in the program folder C:\Program Files (x86)\EPO_OLF5\ThinClient_v500 (C:\Program Files\EPO_OLF5\ThinClient_v500 on 32-bit systems) on the server PC following OLF server installation.
You can also download the latest version of the thin client installation files from the EPO website: Download software
OLF512client.exe can be used to install and update the thin client on all Windows operating systems without having to deinstall existing clients first.
OLF512client.msi requires the deinstallation of existing clients.
It is also possible to install thin clients in silent mode using a batch file.
For full installation instructions and information on using silent mode, please see the Installation Guide.
The SP12 full installation incorporates updates up to 20 April 2020 and security updates. For full details, please see the ReadMe file: Download documentation
Later packages should be installed on top of SP12 full in date order (oldest first).
Yes.
The SP12 full installation incorporates updates up to 20 April 2020, including National Office plug-ins. Further packages can be found on the download software page. Later packages should be installed on top of SP12 full in date order (oldest first).
The next scheduled releases for Online Filing can be found in the Release schedule.
As SP12 full installation is a complete package, its installation is significantly faster than the installation of multiple patches. The exact installation time will depend on the individual system.
There has been a minor issue with password protection during installation, so a revised full package has been issued.
Download the revised full package, launch it and then follow the instructions on screen. For full installation instructions, please see the installation guides.
Customers who have already installed the full package and who do not have issues should continue to work normally.
To resolve this issue,
You do not need a smart card to prepare applications, but you do need one to send your application online to the EPO and most of the national offices.
When opening the cryptovision Utility module, your smart card's token label and ID are displayed. This confirms that your smart card reader is working properly.
A soft certificate is a file which contains certificates which are similar to those on a smart card but which are not stored on or secured by the chip of a smart card. The EPO does not at present accept applications signed or sent to the EPO using soft certificates via the Online Filing software. It is, however, possible to file Form PCT/RO/101 drawn up using PCT-SAFE and a WIPO-issued certificate.
Please contact us.
You can install the software in stand-alone or network mode. All you have to do is follow the instructions in the installation guide and the installer.
In version 5 of the software, the Thin Client MSI package offers the use of command lines for network installation, with "silent mode" and parameter setting.
To update the Thin Client module please refer to the installation guide, which can be found here:
The recommended minimum hardware for Online Filing in network mode (server) is as follows:
Online Filing in stand-alone or network mode (server) can be installed on either
The client component of Online Filing can be installed on any of the Windows systems listed above.
Note: Online Filing cannot run on MAC or Linux servers. The EPO does not provide support for any kind of emulation on MAC or Linux.
Note: Although Online Filing can run in a terminal emulation software, the EPO does not provide support for use of the Online Filing software with a Microsoft Windows Terminal Server, Citrix Terminal Server or any kind of terminal emulation software.
All procedures have their own directories.
Each plug-in has additional sub-directories:
\bin - holds the *.exe file and any *.bin files, to start the GUI faster
\data - holds the temporary directories per action
\config - holds all the plug-in definitions and configurations
The \db directory contains the database files.
The \fm directory contains the file-manager files.
The DTD files are in \fop\config\dtd or a \dtd sub-directory under the plug-in directory.
Versions 11 and DC of Adobe Acrobat Reader are supported. No other PDF readers or other versions of Acrobat are supported.
Since exported sent applications can only be imported back as drafts, the only way will be to export the whole database and import it into the new Online Filing application. There is more information on this in the user guide, which you will find here:
Note: To view sent applications, see the exported ZIP file. All imported applications have "Draft" status.
If you want to view PDFs within a browser you have to enable the Adobe PDF plug-in. How you do this will vary depending on the type of browser you use.
For more information see chapter 10.6 of the installation guide or follow the instructions below:
The Server Manager's backup functionalities allow you to back up, restore and clear the complete Online Filing database. We advise that you export sent filings before emptying the database (for instructions on how to do this, see the User guide, Section 13, Server Manager).
The Backup tab displays a list of all the backup files in your default backup directory, indicating the type of database, file name and file date. You can specify the location of the backup directory in Settings.
|
Button |
Function |
Description |
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Backup |
Back up the complete Online Filing database to a compressed archive file. |
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Restore |
Restore the database from a selected backup file. |
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Delete file |
Delete a backup file. |
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Empty database |
Empty the Online Filing database. Specific data from the production database can be copied to the new database. |
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Refresh |
Display current list of all backup files from the default backup directory. |
The export functions in Server Manager apply to the production database only.
Each time you export an application, the Export function creates a new ZIP file and names it according to the application's user reference.
If a ZIP file of the same name already exists in the export folder, e.g. sample_oppo.zip, the following ZIP files will be named sample_oppo_001.zip, sample_oppo_002.zip and so on.
The same applies if two or more applications have the same user reference.
You can opt to export and delete files from the database in a single operation. To do this:
The applications will be exported and permanently deleted from the database. If you need to have them back in the Online Filing database, use the Import functions in File Manager or Server Manager. Using the Restore function overwrites the whole database and restores it to the state it was in when the backup file was generated – you will lose all applications created since the backup.
Again, for full instructions, see the User guide, Section 13, Server Manager.
The rules on attaching PDF files under the PCT procedure are even stricter than under the EP procedure, so please ensure that your PDF documents meet the following requirements:
If the problem persists, contact us or WIPO direct.
To ensure that the PDF you have created will be accepted by the Online Filing software, you can use the Amyuni PDF converter. Please contact us about this.
To guarantee compliance, you should ensure that your PDF generator and resulting PDFs meet the following criteria:
If you are generating PDFs from paper documents using your company scanner you should adjust the settings of your scanner accordingly.
PDF files containing a combination of landscape and portrait formats are accepted.
PDFs should not be electronically signed (exception: certified copies of priority documents that comply with the Administrative Instructions under the PCT, Part 7 and Annex F and may be digitally signed; they may only be filed via Online Filing or new online filing (CMS) – for further details see OJ EPO 2018, A94). Note: US priority documents can be submitted in A4 format only.
The EPO Online Filing client may sometimes detect non-compliancy with Annex F in error and reject the file. It may also reject files which marginally exceed the permitted dimensions for A4 (PDF sizes up to 312 x 227 mm (A4 +5%) or 12.28 x 8.94" (letter +5%) are accepted).
To ensure that the PDF files you create will be accepted by the Online Filing software you can also use the Amyuni PDF converter. Please contact us to obtain this.
You can indicate that one or more supplementary international search reports were drawn up in the international phase by mentioning the relevant Supplementary International Searching Authority (SISA) or authorities in the Annotations tab on Form Euro-PCT(1200E2K). A copy of the supplementary international search report does not need to be filed, as it will be transmitted direct to the EPO by WIPO.
Note: If you qualify for a fee reduction for a supplementary European search, you can indicate this by editing the Reduction column in Fee selection under the Fee Payment tab.
You fill it in as follows:
If you are not paying for any additional claims, enter "0" as indicated in the Validation Messages/Documents panel (see above).
If you are paying for additional claims, enter the number (including the first 15 that are free), if you already know how many you want to pay for. If you want to pay fees for some but not all claims, the selected claims can be indicated in the Annotations tab.
If you do not yet know how many, also enter "0". You will then be able to pay later, once you do know how many claims end up in the application.
Please note: If you choose the fee payment option Automatic debit order, all fees, including any claims fees, will be debited automatically when due, and any entry in the Number of claims you intend to pay for field is disregarded.
The calculation of the number of pages and page fees is based on the documents submitted to the competent receiving Office; only then should you enter the Number of pages, doing so in the International application as published field. The EPO will check that the page numbers have been indicated correctly and that the correct fees have been paid once it receives the documents from WIPO under Article 20 PCT.
To indicate that you wish to enter the European phase with a request for early processing, please also tick the following box:
Following recent technical maintenance work, the IP address of the EPO online filing server has changed, while the URL of the EPO online filing server has remained the same.
Users encountering issues are requested to check their firewall settings for outgoing submissions and, where necessary, to update the EPO online filing server IP address to 145.64.161.30 or to connect to the EPO via the following URL: https://secure2.epoline.org/olf/receiver.
Yes, you can. User profiles can be created within the File Manager under Tools => User Administration.
Yes. In the File Manager go to Tools => Address Book and then select File => Import/Export.
No. It is possible for several users to access the same folder at the same time, but individual applications can only be accessed by one person at a time. When a user opens an application, the application is internally blocked for opening by other users. Other users attempting to open the application will see a message asking them to try again later or to open it in read-only mode.
Documents in appeal proceedings can only be filed via Online Filing and new online filing (CMS), using Form EP(1038E).
Yes, Form EP(1038E) can be used by any of the parties to appeal proceedings. The role of the party concerned will be clear from information contained in the letter and/or the accompanying document(s) being filed. The Names section can be left empty. If, however, you enter data in the Names section, not all of the relevant name categories are available; the EPO Boards of Appeal are aware of this. If the party to the proceedings is represented, the name of the party's representative should be entered in the relevant section.
National plug-ins can be downloaded either from this website or from the website of the national office concerned. All currently available national plug-ins are automatically installed by the latest full installation of Online Filing. See the installation guide for information on how to activate/deactivate them in the Server Manager (Other procedures).
For any issues relating to the filing of national applications please contact the national office concerned.
Yes. You can use your EPO smart card to file patent applications with most national offices, with the exception of the French patent office (INPI).
No, you can use your EPO smart card in combination with cryptovision.
All smart cards need to be registered before they can be used for filing documents with INPI. Existing INPI smart cards that require Gemalto Classic Client can continue to be used until they expire. Please contact INPI Direct for any further assistance.
At present, there are only two non-EPO cards approved for online transactions with the EPO. They are:
Yes. Users wishing to be kept up to date about new software versions, updates, patches and fixes can sign up for our RSS feeds.
You can also enable the Live Update functionality in the Server Manager. Go to Settings => Live Update Proxy and select Enable software update system. You should also ensure that you have enabled the respective EPC contracting state by ticking the check box next to it under Tools => Preferences => System Preferences => Countries. If Live Update is enabled, updates for the EP, PCT and selected national office procedures will be initiated automatically.
You can select the interval at which you would like your software to check for updates by specifying the number of days in Check for update every XX day(s). The system will then notify you at the selected interval if any new software has been released. We recommend setting the interval to "1" as it will then check once a day, the first time you start the software. You can enter your own and/or anybody else's email address in the Server Manager Settings tab. Everybody on that list will then be sent an automatically generated email whenever a new Live Update is available.
It is important to bear in mind that you first need to download the updates before you can install them. Downloading on its own is not sufficient to complete the process of updating. You must also install the updates in order to effectively apply them to the Online Filing software.
Following the entry into force of amended Rule 19 EPC on 1 April 2021, applicants will no longer be required to indicate inventors’ full addresses when designating inventors, but only their country and place of residence. The place of residence is the city or other municipality where the inventor permanently resides, and includes the postal code (where available).
Generated Form 1002 has likewise been amended to no longer show inventors’ full addresses.
The option afforded to inventors to waive their right to be mentioned under Rule 20(1) EPC remains unaffected.
For further information, see EPO OJ 2021, A12.
Following the amendment of Rule 19 EPC with effect from 1 April 2021, the data required to designate an inventor has changed.
For applications that are signed and ready to send but were not submitted before the 1 April 2021 update, any inventor designations under Rule 19 EPC should be removed as attachments. To ensure compliance with amended Rule 19 EPC, the designations will have to be reprocessed before the application can be submitted.
For draft applications that were not signed before the 1 April 2021 update, any inventor designations prepared should be removed as attachments and must be reprocessed.
For further information on the changes to inventor designations, see OJ EPO 2021, A12.
Please note that if after 1 April 2021 the designation of the inventor is filed with the inventor's full address (i.e. including street name and house number) using an old version of the Online Filing software, that information will be included in the public file as filed (unless Rule 20(1) EPC applies) and will be published in the European Patent Register. Applicants are therefore strongly advised to ensure that they update the Online Filing software to the latest version which will no longer require this information.
For further information, see EPO OJ 2021, A12
Download the latest version.
Following the entry into force of amended Rule 19 EPC on 1 April 2021, due to the deletion of paragraphs 3 and 4 inventors will no longer be notified about their designation by the EPO. This means there is no longer the need for inventors to waive their right to be notified.
For further information, see EPO OJ 2021, A12.
Starting with new patches from spring 2021, EPO online services packages, including OLF packages, will be digitally signed.
When you download, "signed" software gives you the assurance that the package is from the European Patent Office and is still valid, and that code has not been tampered with since being published.
EPO digital certificates are issued by the European Patent Organisation and the European Patent Office.
Additionally, when the downloaded executable file is opened, the following alert may appear: "This file does not have a valid digital signature that verifies its publisher. You should only run software from publishers you trust."
Additional information about the file is also shown.
If the package is unsigned, the publisher is shown as unknown.
If the package is signed, but the EPO digital certificates have not been correctly saved in Windows, the publisher is shown as unknown.
If the package is signed and the EPO digital certificates have been correctly saved in Windows with the trusted root certificates, the publisher will be shown as "EPO".
The EPO digital certificates can be downloaded here.
The EPO digital certificates can be downloaded here. Download the files and save locally.
Using Windows Explorer, open the location of the downloaded certificate.
Select the file and right-click to view the following menu:
Left-click Install Certificate to open the Windows Certificate Import Wizard.
NOTE: To install a certificate, administration rights are required.
Select Current User to import the certificate into our personal store or Local Machine (for all users), then Next.
In the Certificate Store, select Place all certificates in the following store and click Browse.
Select the certificate store Trusted Root Certification Authorities and click OK, then Next.
Click Finish to complete the import.
Windows will then show a security message:
Click Yes.
If the import was successful, the following message will be shown:
Click OK to close.
Both EPO digital signatures should be downloaded and imported.
This action does not need to be repeated with each package. Users will be informed when the certificates used to sign EPO online services packages are changed so that they can update the certificates at their end.
Once the EPO digital certificate has been installed, the identity of the software publisher will be shown in the file properties as "EPO".
Additionally, when the downloaded executable file is opened, the alert regarding unsigned executable files is removed.
Users can choose not to install the digital certificates.
Furthermore, users updating via OLF Live Update do not need to take any further action. The file will download and install as normal.
Users choosing to manually download OLF packages from epo.org can choose to install the digital certificates and be able to view the publisher information when installing packages by verifying the digital signature.
Users can also choose to install the digital certificates only centrally and not locally, to verify the digital signature of packages before proceeding with a distributed installation. This means that where a server installation has verified publisher information, thin clients that also have verified publisher information via locally installed digital certificates are not required.
An EPO smart card is not a requirement for the download and installation of EPO digital certificates or for the download of EPO online services packages.
Within the document, go to File => Print and select the Amyuni PDF Converter from the list of printers, then select OK. You will need to give the resulting PDF file a name. The Amyuni PDF Converter is set up as a regular printer and can convert data from any software with printing ability.
You can also use any other PDF converter as long as the resulting PDFs comply with the Annex F standard. By using the Amyuni PDF converter, you can always be sure that your documents are Annex F-compliant.
For a free download of Amyuni, please contact us.
You can use PatXML, a software tool which allows you to use Microsoft Word to create EP and PCT patent applications in XML (eXtensible Markup Language) format (technical documents only).
In the pre-conversion archive you can add the documents (description, claims, abstract, drawings) that you have attached to your application in PDF or XML format in their original format (e.g. MS Word) in a .ZIP file.
The new version 5.5.2.3 of the Amyuni PDF converter has now been released to production. This version is password-protected. Please contact us if you would like us to send you the password and a link.
Tick the field The description contains a sequence listing in Biology on Form PCT/RO/101.
Proceed to Contents and select Sequence listing. Attach a sequence listing in accordance with Annex C/WIPO Standard ST.25 text format (APP or TXT) as part of an international application filed in electronic form, without attaching the sequence listing in PDF format.
The formalities officers will verify any signatures: if either Form EP(1038E) or the letter is signed by the appointed professional representative.
In Online Filing, documents attached to an electronic filing form do not require a handwritten signature. Electronic filing forms (e.g. Forms 1001E2K, 1200E2K, 1038E, PCT/RO/101, PCT-SFD or PCT-DEMAND) can be signed using a facsimile signature, an enhanced electronic signature or a text string signature. A facsimile signature is an image reproduction of the filing person's signature. An enhanced electronic signature is an electronic signature issued or accepted by the EPO and confirmed with certificates issued or accepted by the EPO (i.e. signing using a smart card). A text string signature is a string of characters, preceded and followed by a forward slash (/), selected by the signatory to prove their identity and their intent to sign.
Yes. For more information on how to use and set up this service please refer to the WIPO website.
As from 1 November 2016, the ePCT service can be used to file subsequently filed documents, as stated in Rule 89bis.2, and file a demand, as stated in Chapter II of the PCT. Payment of fees related to the demand can also be indicated via this method.
Yes, they can.
Read the Notice from the European Patent Office dated 23 September 2016 concerning the online filing of subsequently filed documents under the PCT, including the demand under PCT Chapter II.
You should inform the EPO via the PCT-SFD (subsequently filed document) plug-in how many independent inventions you want it to search.
If you fail to reply, all the additional search fees due will be debited automatically from your deposit account.
