Unit 4 - EP Flashcards
What are the minimum requirements for obtaining a filing date on a European patent application?
- Indication that a patent is sought
- Details of Applicant
- Description or reference to earlier application
What are the requirements for a representative on a European patent application?
- Must be a European Professional Representative
- Representative must be identified on Request for Grant Form
What deadlines are set by publication of the European Search Report?
- Pay designation/examination fees
- Confirm if any extension/validation are designated & pay fees
- Respond to objections in search opinion (Written Opinion)
- Confirm intention to proceed to examination (if examination fee already paid)
What are the types of EP patent?
- Direct filing (Non-Convention, Convention)
- Convention ex-PCT (EURO-PCT)
- Non-convention ex-PCT (EURO-PCT)
- Divisional
What is the deadline for filing direct EP filing?
- 12 months from earliest priority date
What is the deadline for filing EURO- PCT application?
- 31 months from earliest priority date of priority/filing date on PCT application
What is the deadline for filing Designation of Inventor? (GB)
- 16 months from earliest priority date (priority filed)
- 16 months from filing date (no priority)
What is the deadline for filing priority claim (Direct EP)
- On Form 1001
- within 16 months of earliest priority date being claimed
However EP application must have been filed within 12 months of earlier priority date
When is the certified copy of priority document due? (EP Direct)
16 months from earliest priority date claimed
Not needed if priority claimed from application first filed in CN, JP, KR, US, EP or PCT filed at EPO
What are the 3 official languages of the EPO
English, French and German
If specification is not in EPO official language, what is the deadline for filing translation?
2 months from filing date
If missed EPO issue invitation to file with further 2 month deadline
What are the fees due on filing or 1 month from filing date? (EP)
- Filing fee
- Search fee
Where can you file an EP patent application?
- EPO Office (Munich, The Hague or Berlin)
- National Office (e.g. UKIPO)
- Divisional application can only be filed at EPO
If invention relates to national security and inventor is resident in UK, what would you do?
Either
- File first application (priority) in UK
or
- Apply to UKIPO to obtain foreign filing licence
How to file EP patent application?
- By hand
- Online
- EPO online software
- EPO web form filing
- EPO case management system - Post
- Fax
- Courier