EPC Procedure

Course objectives

At the end of this course, the student is familiar with all procedural aspects of the procedure before the European Patent Office including filing a European patent application, the European search report and search opinion; publication of the European patent application; substantive examination and grant of a European patent or refusal of the patent application. In addition, the entry of an international (PCT) application into the regional phase before the EPO is dealt with. Students are also made familiar with opposition to a granted European patent, limitation and revocation proceedings as well as the appeal procedure. Recent developments of the unitary EU Patent are included. The students will also be familiar with calculating time limits, fee payments and the available remedies under the EPC.