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EPO rule changes: compulsory response to search reports

By Lawrence B. Ebert, Esq.

Patent Baristas notes rules changes at the EPO, including

Compulsory response to European search reports

At present, an applicant does not have to reply to any search report that the EPO issue. However, this will change when the new rules come into force. [April 1, 2010]

From that date the applicant will have to respond to objections raised in the opinion accompanying a European search report. This applies to extended search reports, raised on European patent applications filed at the EPO, and supplementary search reports, raised in the European regional phase of a PCT application where the EPO was not the International Search Authority (ISA).

Full post as published by IPBiz on April 09, 2009 (boomark / email).