epi publishes a quarterly journal to inform the members of epi's current activities.
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Welcome
The Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (epi) came into existence pursuant to the European Patent Convention (EPC).
May 08, 2021
Council elects new Secretary General and welcomes Executive Director
epi C90 Council meeting took place on 8 May 2021 by videoconference.
A total of 160 members attended the meeting.
May 06, 2021
Correction to the By-Laws published on 01.02.21
The epi Council approved the recruitment of an Executive Director at the Council meeting C86 and approved the amendments to the corresponding epi regulations at the Council meeting C87 including a transitional provision which conferred to the Presidium the competence to determine the date of entry into force of the new provisions.
the Boards of Appeal
In press release dated 15 December 2020, the Boards of Appeal inform that they have reassessed some of their measures for the arrangement and conduct of oral proceedings. In particular, the practice on conducting oral proceedings using videoconferencing (VICO) technology has been revised: from 1 January 2021 Boards may conduct oral proceedings by VICO even without the agreement of the parties concerned, as has now been made clear in the new Article 15a RPBA adopted by the Boards of Appeal Committee, which enter into force on 1 April 2021. Since the new provision merely clarifies an existing possibility, Boards may adapt their practice as regards dispensing with the need to obtain the agreement of the parties concerned even before the date of its entry into force of Article 15a RPBA.
to be held by videoconference
In a press release dated 10 November 2020, the European Patent Office announced (i) that the postponement of in-person opposition hearings (currently until 31 December 2020) is further extended to 15 September 2021 and (ii) that the consent of all parties for holding an opposition by VICO will no longer be necessary with effect from 4 January 2021, until 15 September 2021.
This measure is intended (according to the EPO) to »clear the substantial backlog of opposition hearings that built up over the last six months with a resulting loss in timeliness which is critical for access to justice«. The decision of the President of the EPO in this respect and a Notice from the EPO, both to be published in the OJ, can be found here and here.
epi meetings in view of the Covid-19 situation
(update 7 July 2020)
The Presidium and the Board of the epi are closely monitoring the situation created in Europe by the Covid-19 epidemic. Sadly, we can only observe how this epidemic is impacting our families, our communities, our profession and our very way of life. We can but hope that all of you are well and keeping safe.
Measures have been implemented to ensure, as far as possible under the circumstances, support for the Presidium, Board, Council and committees.
On 29 June 2020, epi C88 Council meeting was held electronically including voting for e.g. the members of the Board and the Disciplinary committee.
Further precautionary measures include the postponement or cancellation of all epi meetings and educational events. Committee meetings can be conducted using the videoconference tool of epi.