https://www.epo.org/en/about-us/services-and-activities/quality/high-quality-products-services/opposition

Transparent and impartial oppositions

Our Goal: to provide impartial and legally valid decisions on time.

The EPO’s opposition procedure gives third parties the opportunity to potentially have a patent revoked or maintained in amended form for all states where the patent is in force. In its opposition procedure, the EPO strives to act with the utmost impartiality and deliver legally valid decisions on time.

Each opposition case is dealt with by three highly experienced examiners. When required, the opposition can be further supplemented by a legal member.

Overall satisfaction levels from our 2022/2023 Survey (satisfied plus very satisfied) stood at:

  • 70% for the procedure overall
  • 79% of respondents being very/satisfied with how fairly they were treated
  • 78% very/satisfied with the technical competence of the opposition division.

For more information, please see the Quality Report 2024.