The EPO has indicated that it is considering whether there need to be any changes to the rules relating to time limits to support the end-to-end digitalisation of the patent granting process. epi invites all its member to read a paper prepared by EPPC on this matter and send their comments by 31st December, 2021.
In a notice from the EPO dated 22 October 2021 the EPO announced that it is now possible to obtain EPO badges for professional representatives by a pre-arranged video call.
In a decision of the Board of Appeal in case T 0116/18, three questions have been referred to the Enlarged Board concerning how to regard post-published evidence filed in support of inventive step.
The referral is pending under G 2/21.
The EPO has taken measures to process the backlog in entries on the List of Professional Representatives. As announced on the EPO website, all pending entry requests will be dealt with by calendar week 41 of 2021 (which starts today).
