Verfahrenspraxis EPÜ und PCT

Übersichten • Entscheidungspfade • Musterformulierungen

and

EPC time limit calculator

Statutory time limits • time limits set by the EPO

Authors: Leopold Gruner & Arlett Großmann

Book review by T. Kühnen (DE)

Großmann and Gruner enhance the existing EPC literature with two innovative tools - the book „Verfahrenspraxis EPÜ und PCT" and the bilingual (German/ English) EPC time limit calculator for the determination of different time limits of the EPC - which complement each other superbly. The entire package not only serves as a compact resource for exam preparation, but also provides an always quick and reliable overview of the details of the EPC and PCT proceedings to the practitioner. Due to its spiral binding, the book is easy and comfortable to handle.

Verfahrenspraxis EPÜ und PCT

Übersichten • Entscheidungspfade • Musterformulierungen

The book is divided into 4 chapters corresponding to parts A, B, C and D of the EQE.

The main part D comprises more than 100 tables, which give the reader a complete outline of the different steps in proceedings before the European Patent Office (EPC, PCT and EURO-PCT). Each page, presented in a horizontal (landscape) format, offers a self-explanatory, easy-to-understand tabular structure. For the individual steps of the proceedings the requirements/ required actions, fees, time limits, possible time limit extensions, legal consequences, and legal remedies are addressed, from filing an application to opposition all the way to appeal. Special cases are clearly separated from the general tables and all information provided is fully referenced (EPC, Guidelines for the Examination in the EPO, Official Journal and Case law). Above each table, Articles, Rules and case law decisions referred to are quoted verbatim, thereby facilitating the reader's quick orientation.

Parts A, B, and C of the book deal with specific issues connected to drafting an application, formulating a response to a communication issued by the EPO and opposition. They provide extensive information, for example on claim categories, the prior art, how to draft a problem solution approach, and grounds for opposition. Each chapter contains extensive formulation proposals, which are not only very useful in the main EQE but are equally a welcome help for a patent attorney's daily work.

EPC time limit calculator

EPÜ - Fristenscheibe, Statutory time limits • time limits set by the EPO/ Gesetzliche Fristen • Amtsfristen

The EPC time limit calculator is a two-sided turntable - one side is dedicated to the determination of statutory time limits of the EPC, the other to time limits set by the EPO. Currently, time limits starting in one of the calendar years 2016 and 2017 are covered.

The category of statutory time limits of the EPC comprises three kinds of time limits, namely time limits starting on the date of filing of a patent application (such as the time limits for paying the filing fee and search fee or for filing a translation), in addition time limits starting on the date of the mention of the publication of the search report (such as the time limit for paying the examination fee) and finally time limits starting on the date of the mention of the grant of the European patent ( like the time limit for filing a notice of opposition). The time limit calculator also allows for the reliable determination of time limits set by the EPO on a daily basis, taking into account the "10 day rule" according to Rule 126 (2) EPC and days on which at least one EPO filing office is not open (Rule 134 (1) EPC).

The time limit calculator enables the user to calculate EPC time limits in a very effective and time saving manner. Especially during the preparation period and the EQE itself, the time limit calculator is a very handy and helpful self-check tool. Afterwards, it facilitates the work of the patent attorney and the paralegals when counselling a client.

The time limit calculator comes with references to the book "Verfahrenspraxis EPÜ und PCT" for all statutory time limits of the EPO, which allows for quick retrieval of more information about the various steps of proceedings before the EPO.