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News Archive 2006 |
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Beware of misleading invitations to register in unofficial registers |
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Numerous applicants and patent proprietors have informed the European Patent Office that firms and individuals using names, abbreviations or emblems that appear to be official have been inviting them to register patents in unofficial registers or publications.
It has to be noted that the European Patent Office alone performs legally effective publication and registration of European patent applications or patents.
The European Patent Office warns all concerned to guard against the subterfuges of such firms and individuals. You should also be aware that because their services have no legal effect whatsoever, there is no obligation to pay.
If in doubt, please contact our office.
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T 713/02 currently not followed by EPA first-instance departments |
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For the time being, the EPO's departments of first instance do not follow the finding of a Technical Board of Appeal (T 713/02, ABl. EPA 2006, 267), that no decisions, except where a total loss of rights should be remedied, may be taken in the applicant's favour prior to the decision terminating the granting procedure.
We will keep you informed about the future practice of the European Patent Office in this respect.
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Entry into force of EPC 2000 |
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On December 13, 2005, Greece became the fifteenth state to deposit its instrument of ratification. The EPC 2000 will therefore enter into force on December 13, 2007, at the latest.
According to Article 172(4) EPC, a Contracting State that has not ratified or acceded to the EPC 2000 at the time of its entry into force shall cease to be party to the EPC as from that time. To date (August 2006), inter alia Germany, France and Italy have not yet ratified the EPC 2000. The current status of ratification/accession can be reviewed
on the European Patent Office´s website.
We will keep you informed about the forthcoming changes in the practice of the European Patent Office due to the entry into force of the EPC 2000.
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