EP Flashcards
Filing fee, Search fee*
Within 1 mo of filing
Designation fee*
Within 6 mo of the date on which EP Bulletin mentions publication of Search Report
Extension fee
Validation fee
Within 6 mo of mention of publication of SR
Extendable by 2mo + 50% surcharge
No FP
Excess pages fee (>35)*
Within 1 mo from filing application, claims or certified copy, whichever is later
Date of filing accorded when
Indication that a EP patent is sought
Information identifying the applicant
A description or a reference to 1 previously filed application (filing date, appl no, office & indicate it replaces description + drawings)
Certified copy of previous application + translation
Within 2 mo of filing application if filed by reference
If not, invited by another 2 mo
Translation of application
Within 2 mo of filing in one of the official languages of EPO
No FP but re-establishment possible
Excess claims fees
Within 1 mo of filing the first set of claims
Within 1 mo from communication of failure to observe time limit
Divisional fee*
Within 1 mo of filing, must be filed by reference to parent at EPO
Additional fee from 2nd to 5th generation divisional (progressively increases) – flat fee from 5th generation
Designation of inventor*
Within 16 mo from priority or filing date
Renewal
Last day of the month containing anniversary of filing date
Renewal in respect of third year – 6 months to expiry date
All other renewals – 3 months to expiry date
Renewal - Divisional
Divisional – renewal fees due in respect of earlier application on date on which divisional is filed – renewal due on date of filing up to 4 mo
PCT - must pay backdated renewals and any renewal fees due within 4mo of filing date of divisional - pay within 4mo from divisional filing date (NOT END OF MONTH)
Renewal - Re-establishment
renewal fees due within 4 mo from date of notification of decision of res-establishment of rights (fee + renewal fee)
- If 6mo grace not expired, can pay within 6 mo (fee + renewal fee + late fee)
Formalities examination conducted when?
Formal requirements once a date of filing is accorded
If any deficiencies, invited to correct
FP not available
Plurality of independent claims (R62a)
Indicate which claims to be searched within 2mo
Can file arguments + auxiliary requests – cannot amend claims
Opinion of the Search Division cannot be contested until the examination stage – submit arguments to the examiner
Further search fees
Within 2 mo of invitation.
Unsearched subject matter must be removed from application but can be pursued in a divisional application.
Response to exam report*
Within 6 mo of publication of the search report or within 6 mo of invitation if examination request filed before transmittal of search report
Prior search results
Must provide a copy of the results of any search carried out on a priority application when filing a convention EP or PCT
Within 2 mo of invite (exempt – Austria, Denmark, Spain, JP, KR, UK. US, EPO)
Technical prep for publication
Completed 5 weeks before expiry of 18th month following date of filing/priority
Declaration of priority
Within 16 mo from earliest priority date
Correcting priority
Within 16 mo from earliest priority claimed or 16 mo from corrected earliest priority date, whichever expires first,
provided that the change is submitted within 4 mo from date of filing
Priority documents
File certified copy within 16 mo from the earliest priority date (not needed if EP, JP, KR, US, divisional)