286:
fails to file such an authorisation, the EPO shall invite him to do so within a period to be specified." "The
Decision of the President ... states that in cases of a change of representation, and where the EPO has not been notified of the termination of the previous representative's authorisation, "the new representative must file, together with the notification of his appointment, an individual authorisation (original and one copy) or a reference to a general authorisation already on file. If he does not, he shall be requested to do so within a period to be specified by the European Patent Office."" The legal consequence of not filing an authorisation when requested to do so is that the procedural steps taken by the new representative are deemed not to have been taken. Authorisations, like
17:
89:. A legal practitioner representing a party before the EPO must be qualified in an EPC Contracting State, must have his place of business in that State, and must be entitled in that State to act as a professional representative in patent matters. Both authorised employees and legal practitioners "must file a signed authorisation or a reference to a general authorisation already on file". Subject to these rules, a party has the right to be represented in the manner he chose.
270:, an association of professional representatives may be formed to collectively represent a party or parties before the EPO. In such a case, the authorisation of an association of representatives is deemed to apply to any representative who practises within the association. The Legal Division of the EPO is in charge of the registration of associations. The registration is free of charge.
118:
Formerly being a qualified or experienced patent attorney at the entry into force of the EPC in their state provided exemption from passing the EQEs (known as the "grandfather clause"). In
December 1998, the ratio of registrations under the grandfather clause to those having passed the EQE was two to
285:
in combination with the
Decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 12 July 2007 on the filing of authorisations." "Rule 152(1) sets out that the President shall determine the cases in which an authorisation shall be filed," whereas "Rule 152(2) sets out that where a representative
175:
Paper C (5½ hours) consists in drafting a notice of opposition to a
European patent. The exercise is based on a fictitious letter from a client, a European patent to be opposed, several documents and an EPO opposition form. For paper C also, the problem-and-solution approach must typically be used
140:
The main
European qualifying examination (EQE) is a multi-day examination, comprising four papers, for each of which there is at least one exam. Due to the introduction of the pre-examination in 2012, starting 2013, three papers of the main exam are shorter than their previous formats so that the
131:
Starting 2012, after 2 years of related work experience, candidates can sit the pre-examination, which is a 4-hour multiple choice exam held once a year. The pre-examination assesses candidates' ability to answer legal questions and questions relating to the drafting of claims (IPREE, Rule 10). A
53:
There is no general obligation for a party to be represented by a professional representative to act in proceedings before the EPO. However, a person not having either their residence or place of business within the territory of one of the EPC Contracting States (a "non-European party") "must be
247:
As of
November 2010, there were a little more than 10,000 persons on the list of professional representatives, "just less than 1500" "legal practitioners entitled to represent before the EPO", and "about 300 patent law firms, which are registered as „associations of representatives“ within the
234:
The marking of the Paper C of the EQE 2007, including awarding no point when candidates failed to select the "right" starting document (for assessing the inventive step of some claims) and the blanket addition of 10 points to the grade of all C papers, was strongly criticized.
238:
In 2021, the EQE was held online for the first time. A proposal to change the format of the EQE exams into a modular system, held online with some exams being available more than once a year, was discussed at a conference of the
European Patent Institute on 21 June, 2021.
122:
In order to sit the EQE, candidates should notably show that "they possess a university-level scientific or technical qualification." An equivalent level of scientific or technical knowledge obtained through at least ten years' experience is also considered sufficient.
1101:
1091:
84:
Representation of persons who must be represented and persons who need not be represented but want to be represented must be by a professional representative, or, if the party is a "European party", the representation may be by an authorised employee or by a
1096:
20:
Badge of a
European patent attorney with the fingerprint logo of the EPO. It serves for identifying the carrier at entry to the EPO premises and as an authorization for attending any legal proceedings in patent matters at the
1055:
74:
1172:
302:, a decision of the Enlarged Board of Appeal of the EPO, which deals with submissions by accompanying persons in addition to the submissions made by the professional representative appointed by the party
187:
The
European qualifying examination is held once a year, usually at the end of February or beginning of March, simultaneously in various cities throughout Europe. In 2013 for instance, it was held in
1086:
913:
1204:
1117:
149:
and the introduction (field of the invention, prior art, problem to be solved and its solution) of a
European patent application, on the basis of the fictitious letter by a client describing an
1198:
1029:
1157:
1065:
894:
862:
1050:
980:
305:
63:
1209:
1152:
861:, p.7: Decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 12 July 2007 concerning the filing of patent applications and other documents by facsimile, Article 3; and
165:
1060:
78:
1045:
55:
231:. Dictionaries and reference material can be used during the examination "as long as they are in paper form". The use of electronic devices is however not permitted.
160:
Paper B (3½ hours) consists in preparing a reply to an official communication of an Examining Division raising substantive objections to a patent application, such
1224:
1177:
16:
54:
represented by a professional representative and act through him in all proceedings", except for filing a European patent application. Proceedings include
973:
330:
When assessing the inventive step of claim (defining an invention in a patent or patent application), the practice at the EPO is to use the so-called "
183:(PCT); and a legal case usually requiring analyzing the legal situation of a client and proposing actions to be undertaken to cope with the situation.
1147:
1522:
966:
793:
573:"Regulation on the European qualifying examination for professional representatives - Decision of the Supervisory Board of 17 November 2016"
1162:
435:, p.128: Decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 12 July 2007 on the filing of authorisations, Articles 2 and 3.
132:
passing grade of 70 marks out of 100 must be achieved to be permitted to write the main exam (EQE) one year later (IPREE, Rule 6).
108:
be a national of one of the EPC Contracting States (the President of the EPO may grant exemptions "in special circumstances"); and
1070:
709:
311:
752:"List of Professional Representatives as at 19.01.2013 by their place of business or employment in the Contracting States"
169:
989:
858:
827:
432:
572:
552:
830:, p.128: Decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 12 July 2007 on the filing of authorisations.
548:
522:
33:
providing the legal system according to which European patents are granted, contains provisions regarding whether a
1003:
842:
779:
597:
499:
D. Visser, The Annotated European Patent Convention 2000, 15th Edition, (Veldhoven, The Netherlands, 2007), p. 321.
488:
474:
460:
420:
403:
389:
360:
282:
267:
252:
70:
26:
1137:
918:
331:
180:
945:
PCT Applicant’s Guide, International Phase (Special edition as of 31 December 2012, prepared for EQE candidates)
866:
1142:
1132:
794:
Notice from the European Patent Office dated 28 August 2013 on matters concerning representation before the EPO
898:
1167:
751:
1458:
1024:
951:
PCT Applicant’s Guide National Phase (Special edition as of 31 December 2012, prepared for EQE candidates)
846:
812:
693:
689:
685:
681:
42:
508:
445:
1214:
374:
1317:
1184:
888:
290:, cannot be validly filed by facsimile. An original version of the authorisation has to be filed.
86:
59:
609:
European qualifying examination, Guide for preparation, 3rd edition (September 2013), p. 13-14.
1474:
738:
287:
739:"Interview with Hans-Christian Haugg Director, Legal Division, EPO, Munich, 22 November 2010"
714:, Le blog du droit européen des brevets, September 17, 2008. Consulted on September 17, 2008.
652:
European qualifying examination, Guide for preparation, 3rd edition (September 2013), p. 11.
636:
European qualifying examination, Guide for preparation, 3rd edition (September 2013), p. 10.
627:
European qualifying examination, Guide for preparation, 3rd edition (September 2013), p. 15.
618:
European qualifying examination, Guide for preparation, 3rd edition (September 2013), p. 14.
168:
objections. The reply is to be prepared based on fictitious instructions from a client. The
161:
950:
944:
1367:
668:
100:
38:
662:
938:
1432:
1272:
1219:
146:
34:
1516:
1332:
724:
41:(i.e., a party to the proceedings) needs to be represented in proceedings before the
523:"Regulation on the European qualifying examination for professional representatives"
338:
as the closest prior art, i.e. the starting point for the inventive step assessment.
839:
776:
485:
471:
457:
417:
400:
386:
357:
279:
264:
249:
67:
255:". As of January 2013, there were precisely 10,427 professional representatives.
1422:
1362:
958:
1392:
1357:
1342:
179:
Paper D (5½ hours) consists in a series of legal questions on the EPC and the
446:
Decision T 1687/08 of the Technical Board of Appeal 3.5.02 of 9 November 2011
1337:
1127:
335:
228:
220:
154:
150:
1466:
1407:
1402:
1382:
1257:
1008:
911:
Legal Research Service for the Boards of Appeal, European Patent Office,
224:
200:
1498:
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1482:
1387:
1312:
1307:
1297:
1287:
1282:
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1252:
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1242:
1122:
1097:
Decisions of the Boards of Appeal relating to Article 52(2) and (3) EPC
196:
1427:
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1397:
1377:
1372:
1352:
1327:
1302:
1292:
1267:
299:
208:
204:
188:
30:
939:
European qualifying examination, Guide for preparation, 3rd edition
598:
European qualifying examination, Guide for preparation, 3rd edition
1412:
1347:
1322:
212:
111:
have a place of business in one of the EPC Contracting States; and
15:
119:
one. On 29 November 2000, this clause was removed from the EPC.
216:
192:
962:
664:
Comments on Paper C of the 2007 European Qualifying Examination
933:
930:
European qualifying examination (EQE) related resources:
114:
have passed the European qualifying examination (EQE); or
789:
787:
104:. In order to be a European patent attorney, one must:
1102:
Successful petitions for review under Article 112a EPC
1092:
Decisions and opinions of the Enlarged Board of Appeal
696:
of the Disciplinary Board of Appeal of 28 August 2008.
566:
564:
562:
560:
334:", which includes a step of selecting of one piece of
306:
Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies
448:, Reasons for the Decision 2.3, penultimate sentence.
1441:
1233:
1110:
1079:
1038:
1017:
996:
711:
Notation C 2007 : première décision de recours
527:Official Journal Supplementary publication 2, 2014
1148:European Round Table on Patent Practice (EUROTAB)
66:(as patentee, opponent or intervener pursuant to
847:Board of decision T 0267/08 of 29 November 2010
823:
821:
813:Board of decision T 0267/08 of 29 November 2010
97:Professional representatives bear the title of
1225:Unitary patent (Switzerland and Liechtenstein)
278:The "procedure to be followed is governed by
974:
8:
891:on the European Patent Office (EPO) web site
808:
806:
804:
802:
648:
646:
644:
642:
370:
368:
914:Case Law of the Boards of Appeal of the EPO
981:
967:
959:
141:EQE now consists of the following papers:
876: : "Filing of subsequent documents".
577:Supplementary publication 2 – OJ EPO 2017
889:Database of professional representatives
413:
411:
350:
323:
145:Paper A (4 hours) consists in drafting
796:, Official Journal EPO 11/2013, p. 535
895:Guidelines for Examination in the EPO
863:Guidelines for Examination in the EPO
176:for the inventive step assessment(s).
75:limitation and revocation proceedings
7:
1205:Standing Advisory Committee (SACEPO)
859:Special edition No. 3, OJ EPO 2007
828:Special edition No. 3, OJ EPO 2007
758:(1/2013). Carl Heymanns Verlag: 16
571:Mercer, Chris (22 February 2017).
433:Special edition No. 3, OJ EPO 2007
14:
1004:European Patent Convention (EPC)
725:"Course: e:EQE Discussion paper"
1138:European Patent Institute (epi)
815:, Reasons for the Decision 2.2.
136:European qualifying examination
312:USPTO registration examination
259:Association of representatives
81:(as appellant or respondent).
1:
1173:Observations by third parties
849:, Reasons for the Decision 8.
170:problem-and-solution approach
1523:European Patent Organisation
1025:European Patent Office (EPO)
990:European Patent Organisation
93:Professional representatives
510:EPC Transitional Provisions
49:General rule and exceptions
1539:
1215:Unified Patent Court (UPC)
1009:Revised version (EPC 2000)
917:(9th edition, July 2019),
27:European Patent Convention
1056:Limitation and revocation
332:problem-solution approach
181:Patent Cooperation Treaty
1143:European Patent Register
1133:European Patent Bulletin
927: : "Representation"
908: : "Representation"
741:, epi Information 1/2011
737:K. Finnilä, T. Johnson,
600:(September 2013), p. 13.
274:Change of representation
29:(EPC), the multilateral
1118:Divisional applications
529:. EPO. 19 February 2014
172:must typically be used.
1459:Bosnia and Herzegovina
1199:Restitutio in integrum
1030:Administrative Council
539:(Article 11(1)(a) REE)
64:opposition proceedings
43:European Patent Office
22:
19:
934:EQE eLearning Centre
671:4/2007, pp. 153-155.
549:Article 11(1)(a) REE
1220:Unitary patent (EU)
1187:reformatio in peius
1066:Petition for review
708:Laurent Teyssedre,
77:(as patentee), and
288:priority documents
87:legal practitioner
79:appeal proceedings
23:
1510:
1509:
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1487:
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1471:
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1163:Judges' Symposium
444:See for instance
56:grant proceedings
1530:
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1210:Software patents
1179:Official Journal
1168:London Agreement
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777:Rule 152(11)
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760:. Retrieved
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661:S. Roberts,
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581:. Retrieved
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531:. Retrieved
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1448:validation
1423:Switzerland
1363:Netherlands
1071:Enforcement
953:(pdf 20 MB)
845:; see also
840:Rule 152(6)
762:November 8,
706:(in French)
533:26 December
486:Article 163
248:meaning of
68:Article 105
1442:Extension
1393:San Marino
1358:Montenegro
1343:Luxembourg
1158:Guidelines
1051:Opposition
947:(pdf 4 MB)
897:, section
865:, section
680:Decisions
346:References
243:Statistics
1338:Lithuania
1128:Espacenet
1039:Procedure
377:, point 5
336:prior art
229:The Hague
221:Stockholm
155:prior art
151:invention
99:European
60:applicant
1517:Category
1467:Cambodia
1408:Slovenia
1403:Slovakia
1383:Portugal
1258:Bulgaria
1080:Case law
294:See also
280:Rule 152
225:Taastrup
201:Helsinki
1499:Tunisia
1491:Morocco
1483:Moldova
1475:Georgia
1388:Romania
1318:Ireland
1313:Iceland
1308:Hungary
1298:Germany
1288:Finland
1283:Estonia
1278:Denmark
1263:Croatia
1253:Belgium
1248:Austria
1243:Albania
1123:epoline
694:D 43/07
690:D 17/07
686:D 12/07
583:3 March
308:(CEIPI)
197:Bristol
162:novelty
45:(EPO).
35:natural
1452:states
1428:Turkey
1418:Sweden
1398:Serbia
1378:Poland
1373:Norway
1353:Monaco
1328:Latvia
1303:Greece
1293:France
1268:Cyprus
1236:states
1061:Appeal
1018:Organs
941:(2013)
682:D 6/07
375:G 4/95
300:G 4/95
263:Under
209:Munich
205:Madrid
189:Berlin
147:claims
31:treaty
1413:Spain
1348:Malta
1323:Italy
874:, 2.5
579:. EPO
318:Notes
213:Paris
1153:Fees
904:viii
872:viii
764:2013
585:2017
551:and
535:2015
227:and
217:Rome
193:Bern
164:and
58:(as
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