New PACE program entered into force as of February 1, 2026,
EPO’s efforts to issue the extended/partial European search report for European patent applications within six months of the filing date or…
As of April 1, 2026, it has become possible to file European patent applications or enter the Euro-PCT phase in docx format.
According to the EPO’s press release, this new option applies to patent…
As of June 1, 2026, the Republic of Moldova will become the 40th member state of the European Patent Organization (EPO).
Republic of Moldova will join the group of so-called designation states, which…
Claim interpretation in view of the description
Same invention as priority application
The Referring Decision T 439/22 is an appeal, by the opponent, against decision of rejection of an opposition against European patent EP3076804 relating to a heated aerosol generating article with…
A pharmaceutical company specializing in generics launched in France a generic version of Xarelto (rivaroxaban) immediately after expiry of the compound patent and of the associated SPC. The patent…
There are now six validations states available for European patent applications: Morocco (MA), Republic of Moldova (MD), Tunisia (TN), Cambodia (KH), Georgia (GE) and Lao People's Democratic Republic…
The question of adapting the description to claims amended during the examination procedure is one that divides practitioners and EPO examiners alike. Depending on the amended claims, adapting the…
The EPO Official Journal of July 2025 announces that, as of 1 October 2025, drawings in European patent applications may be executed in colour or greyscale, and no longer necessarily in black lines,…
