BECK GREEnER
APPLICAnts sHoULD REVIEW ExIstInG APPLICAtIons to IDEntIfY
CAsEs on WHICH A non-UnItY oBJECtIon WAs RAIsED
time before grant of that application. The rules strictly apply the rule that unsearched subject Currently, an applicant has the right to make
coming into force in April, which will apply to all matter cannot continue. unlimited voluntary amendments to the
applications pending and new cases, will severely application after receipt of the search report and
restrict the period during which divisional
These changes will stop applicants redefining
to amend the application in response to the first
applications may be filed.
their invention or recasting a specification during
examination report. Further amendments must
prosecution. The European patent application,
be made with the consent of the examiner.
The deadline for filing divisional applications
whether filed directly or by way of the PCT, will
will be 24 months after the Examining Division’s
need to enter the European Patent Cooperation
Under the new rules, which will apply to any
first communication about the initial application.
treaty (PCT) with a specification that meets the
application with a search report dated from
Additionally, if the Examining Division issues an
European regulations and with a set of claims
April 1, 2010, voluntary amendments can only
examination report on an application in which a
that adequately cover the invention. Although
be offered within the time period allowed for
new non-unity objection is raised, there will be
this will increase filing costs, we believe that all
responding to the search report. Any later
a deadline of 24 months from the issue of that
applications to be filed with the European Patent
amendments will require the examiner’s consent,
communication for filing a divisional application.
Office should be reviewed by a European patent
and current practice suggests that consent is
unlikely to be forthcoming.
There is a transitional provision that allows
attorney before filing to avoid difficulties.
applicants until October 1, 2010 to file new
At present, if the European Patent Office issues
divisional applications, even where the time limit
a search report on a European or international
as set out above has already expired.
Jacqueline Needle is a partner of London
application, the examiner also issues an opinion
firm Beck Greener. She can be contacted at:
on patentability. The applicant may choose to file
Recommended actions
jneedle@beckgreener.com
a response to the opinion, but it is not obligatory.
Applicants should review existing applications
The new regime will require that applicants
to identify cases on which a non-unity objection
respond to these opinions, for both direct
was raised some time ago. Cases defining but not
European applications and for the European
claiming more than one invention, and for which
regional phase of international applications.
the first examination report has already been
Where no response is filed, the application will be
received, should also be reviewed. Any required
deemed to be withdrawn.
divisionals for such applications will need to be
filed before October 1, 2010. For a directly filed European patent application,
for example, the response to the examiner’s
Should an applicant identify a number of divisional
opinion will have to be filed within six months of
applications to be filed, it will be possible to spread
the publication of the search report.
out the filings, and the cost, until October 1, 2010,
by starting with the filings right away.
However, for international applications, there will
Jacqueline Needle
be much shorter timescales. If the European Patent
Jacqueline Needle is a partner of Beck
new regime for search,
Office has produced the examiner’s opinion during
Greener. She is a chartered patent attorney,
examination and amendment the international phase, there will be only a one-
European patent attorney and European
From April 1, 2010, the right to make amendments
month additional period to file a response. This trademark attorney. Needle has extensive
will be severely curtailed. Applicants will also have
period will be triggered by the issuance of a notice
experience of patent drafting and prosecution,
to respond to search reports, often within tight
soon after the regional phase begins. In view of
and has responsibility for corporate patent
timescales. The rules will determine which claims the very short period allowed, it is suggested that
portfolios that include applications in a large
will be searched by the European Patent Office applicants file amendments when international
number of countries.
and it is expected that the EPO will continue to applications enter the regional phase.
10 World Intellectual Property Review Digest 2009 www.worldipreview.com
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