European Patent Office

Governments around the world have implemented a wide range of protocols to control the spread of COVID-19 throughout their jurisdictions. The various intellectual property offices have recognised this is an unprecedented situation that may have an impact on the ability of right holders, applicants, opponents and their representatives to meet deadlines associated with their intellectual property rights.

●April 14　Source: www.epo.org

In view of the ongoing disruptions caused by the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) the European Patent Office (EPO) has decided to postpone until further notice all oral proceedings in examination and opposition proceedings scheduled until 30 April 2020 unless they have already been confirmed to take place by means of videoconferencing (Article 6 of the Decision of the President of the EPO dated 1 April 2020 concerning oral proceedings by videoconference before examining divisions). A pilot will be started for opposition oral proceedings by videoconference.

Separate notifications about this postponement are continued to be sent to the parties as soon as possible. To guarantee that all parties are informed in due time, the EPO may exceptionally use additional means of communication (e.g. email).

Search, examining and opposition divisions will continue with their other activities, as well as holding oral proceedings which have been confirmed to take place by means of videoconferencing.

In view of the rapidly evolving situation all parties to the proceedings before the EPO are invited to check on a regular basis the section of the EPO's website dedicated to providing ongoing updates in relation to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This section covers information on oral proceedings and remedies in case of the non-observance of time limits.

The EPO will continue to monitor the situation and may take further measures as the situation evolves.

●March 25　Source: infojustice.org

The EPO deals with the registration and renewal of, and oppositions to, European patents. On the impact of Covid-19, it has said:

●All oral proceedings in examination and opposition proceedings scheduled until 17 April 2020 are postponed, unless it has been confirmed that they will take place by videoconferencing.

●All Boards of Appeal oral proceedings scheduled to take place until 17 April 2020 will not be held at the Board of Appeal premises. Concerned parties will be contacted accordingly with a communication.