European patent application - Examination on filing and examination as to formal requirements

According to Article 90 of the European Patent Convention (EPC)

(1)

The European Patent Office shall examine, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations, whether the application satisfies the requirements for the accordance of a date of filing. 

(2)

If a date of filing cannot be accorded following the examination under paragraph 1 of this article,  the application shall not be dealt with as a European patent application.

(3)

If the European patent application has been accorded a date of filing, the European Patent Office shall examine, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations, whether the requirements in Articles 14, 78 and 81, and, where applicable, Article 88, paragraph 1, and Article 133, paragraph 2 of the European Patent Convention  as well as any other requirement laid down in the Implementing Regulations, have been satisfied.

(4)

Where the European Patent Office in carrying out the examination under paragraphs 1 or 3 of this article  notes that there are deficiencies which may be corrected, it shall give the applicant an opportunity to correct them.

(5)

If any deficiency noted in the examination under paragraph 3 of this article is not corrected, the European patent application shall be refused unless a different legal consequence is provided for by this Convention. Where the deficiency concerns the right of priority, this right shall be lost for the application.

 

Prepared by European Patent Registration and Consulting Services GmbH