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2 October 2014Patents

EPO launches new digital filing tool

The European Patent Office (EPO) has launched a new digital tool to allow prospective applicants to file patents online, in order to improve efficiency and enhance electronic communication.

Applications filed under the European Patent Convention and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) will be accepted under the new case management system, which is operated through the EPO website and will not require users to download additional software.

Applicants can file a form under the new system or upload a copy of the EPO’s existing Annex F-compliant document to the office’s site.

“The launch of the new online filing version 1.8 today constitutes a further significant move on the way to modernising the EPO’s IT service as agreed with our member states,” president of the EPO Benoît Battistelli said yesterday (October 1).

“Following on to the successful launch of the mailbox, the new system supports the overall strategy of the office to equip the European patent system with the best possible IT environment in order to reduce administrative costs for applicants. It also helps to align the European and PCT procedures under the same tool,” he added.

The latest step is part of a long-term modernisation plan at the EPO. Under the title, “IT Roadmap”, which begun in September 2012, the aim of the EPO is to “automate procedures, make the filing of documents and communication with users more effective and secure, and facilitate co-operation between the EPO and its users”.

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