https://www.epo.org/en/node/release-notes

MyEPO Porfolio Release notes

 
Please note that from 1 November, we have changed how user access to application portfolios is managed

Access of users to application portfolios is now managed by company administrators and no longer by representatives unless the representative is also a user with administration rights.

 

If, for any reason, you no longer have access to a portfolio, please contact your company administrator and ask them to check in the Admin Area that your representative or association has been added as a “recipient”. Once added as a recipient, your company administrator can use the “Manage Permissions” option in the “Applications and Patents” area to give you access to a portfolio.

 

For more information, please see:

MyEPO Portfolio feature guide - managing user access in MyEPO Portfolio
FAQ – managing user access in MyEPO Portfolio

1 April 2024

The following features are now available to all users:

  1. Reply to a communication under Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC
    Users can now file amendments in reply to a communication from the EPO under rules 161(1) and 162 EPC regarding entry of an international PCT application into the European phase.
  2. Request certified copies
    Any user of MyEPO Portfolio can request certified copies for any single EP, UP or Euro-PCT application.
  3. Transfer of rights
    Users can now request registration of transfer of rights (change of ownership) for one or more European patent applications or patents in line with Rule 22 EPC.
  4. Manage licences and other rights
    Users can request registration of licences for European patent applications, and request cancellation of registrations.
  5. Submit bulk requests for a list of applications
    Users can upload a .csv file with a list of application numbers and request transfer of rights or registration/cancellation of licences for all of them.
  6. Open any application and submit requests
    Any user of MyEPO can open any public EP, UP or Euro-PCT application. They can also request license management, transfer of rights or certified copies.
  7. Representative area permissions for IP support staff
    Representatives can now grant permission for other users from their company to access their representative area to manage their personal entry in the list of representatives before the EPO.

Additionally, requests for certified copies, transfers of rights and the registration or cancellation of licences will be free of charge as of 1 April if executed via MyEPO Portfolio.

18 December 2023

Various improvements to MyEPO Portfolio (1.9.0)

  • Customer reference transfer from MyEPO portfolio to Central Fee Payment
  • Minor improvements and bug corrections.
23 November 2023

Company administrators can manage company members

New users can now request to be added to an existing company or create a new company.

Company administrators can now use the Company members option in the Admin area to accept or reject requests from users to join their company. They can also remove company members, using the “remove” button.

1 November 2023

The following features are now available to all users:

  1. Self-service for professional representatives

    • A dedicated area has been put in place that allows representatives to update (and if necessary, delete) their entries in the list of professional representatives.
  2. Access to application portfolios

    • Company administrators can now manage user access to application portfolios.
    • Applicants that have chosen not to appoint a professional representative can now see their portfolios of applications in MyEPO Portfolio.
  3. Requesting changes to applications

    Users can now conveniently request the following:

    • Change or withdrawal of representation
    • Changes to bibliographic data
    • Withdrawal of application
29 September 2023 

Various improvements to MyEPO Portfolio (1.6.0)

  • Mailbox B2B API – markAsHandled parameter has been removed from the download endpoint 

  • Mailbox B2B API – the sandbox environment includes pagination and sorting. 

  • Minor improvements and bug corrections.  

15 September 2023

Various improvements to MyEPO Portfolio (1.5.0)

  • The mailbox has been redesigned to show the communications in table form. Mailbox users can now sort and filter communications within the communications folders in the mailbox.
  • The process of requesting a new recipient has been improved, to differentiate between types of recipients, such as applicant, representative, or Rule 152 Association.
  • Download of portfolio data in CSV file from the portfolio now includes the procedure field for each application.
  • Minor improvements and bug corrections.
1 July 2023

End of MyEPO Portfolio pilot phase 2

New procedural actions

New types of procedural actions can be submitted in MyEPO Portfolio:

  • Reply to the extended European search report - Rule 70a EPC
  • Reply to an invitation about subject-matter for search (CLAR) - Rule 62a, Rule 63 EPC

Opposition cases are visible in the portfolio
In MyEPO Portfolio, representatives can already see opposition cases for which they are appointed to represent the applicant.
Now, representatives can also see the applications for which they are appointed to represent the opponent.
Other users that have been granted permission to view the representative’s or association’s portfolio can also see these applications and documents.

Shared area

Personal consultation during the patent examination can sometimes help to advance the process. It is already possible for applicants and first members to arrange a consultation, normally by videoconference, to discuss a case informally.

The shared area feature now facilitates this consultation by providing a common place to collaboratively work on documents with the first member of the examining division.

Improved communication during the PCT international phase (PCT Link)

International agents and non-European applicants can now activate a PCT Link to the EPO Mailbox, which allows them to receive electronic PCT communications from the EPO acting as (S)ISE or IPEA in the international phase.

Integration with IP management systems

A first business-to-business interface (APIs – application programming interfaces) is available that makes it possible to download communications (documents and metadata) from your EPO Mailbox to your IP management and docketing systems without the need for human intervention.

Modern alternatives to the physical smart card for accessing MyEPO services

You can sign in to MyEPO Portfolio, Online Filing 2.0 and Central Fee Payment via your EPO account using two-step verification.

You can also sign in via your EPO account using an EPO smart card, but support for this option will stop at the end of 2024.

20 June 2023

MyEPO Portfolio 1.1.0

  • You can now change the interface language to one of the EPO's official languages: English, French or German
  • The format of the EP and PCT application numbers has been harmonised for the entire MyEPO portfolio.
    The format of the EP application number is EP00000000.0 and the one of the PCT application number is PCT/LL0000/000000.
  • Minor technical corrections and fixes
  • Minor improvements
13 March 2023

New procedural features in MyEPO Portfolio

Paralegal and IP support staff who have been granted portfolio access rights in MyEPO Portfolio can now also send submissions, duly signed by the representative.

1 January 2023

Unitary Patent features in MyEPO Portfolio

Representatives can now file a request to delay issuing the decision to grant a European patent in response to a communication under Rule 71(3) EPC by selecting the appropriate checkbox when submitting a Reply to communication about intention to grant a European patent.

13 December 2022

New procedural act available in MyEPO Portfolio

  • A new "recently read" folder in the EPO Mailbox screen​
  • An option to download EPO Mailbox data in .csv format​
  • View the history of actions​
  • View a user information panel​
  • Other minor improvements
5 October 2022

New procedural act available in MyEPO Portfolio

  • Reply to communication in examination under Article 94(3) EPC can now be filed.

Enhanced user interface

We've made some improvements to the user interface.

15 July 2022

New Admin functionality

Administrators can

  • grant or remove access to the Mailbox, fee payment rights and/or administration rights to other company members
  • add/remove recipients of electronic communications
  • turn on / turn off the company Mailbox for the receipt of electronic communications

Enhanced Email alerts functionality

You can now change the email address to which your email alerts are sent.

Enhanced user interface

We've made some improvements to the user interface.

8 July 2022

A problem concerning missing tasks in the task list has been fixed.