Chapter I – Procedure where the applicant or proprietor is not entitled
Rule 15 16
Filing of a new European patent application by the person entitled to apply
A revised version of the European Patent Convention entered into force on 13 December 2007. The provisions of the revised Convention apply unless the transitional provisions provide for the applicability of the EPC 1973. |
(1) Where the person adjudged by a final decision to be entitled to the grant of the European patent files a new European patent application pursuant to Article 61, paragraph 1(b), the original European patent application shall be deemed to be withdrawn on the date of filing of the new application for the Contracting States designated therein in which the decision has been taken or recognised.
(2) 17 The filing fee and search fee shall be payable in respect of the new European patent application within one month after the filing thereof. The designation fees shall be payable within six months of the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the publication of the European search report drawn up in respect of the new European patent application.
(3) The time limits for forwarding European patent applications provided for in Article 77, paragraphs 3 and 5, shall, for the new European patent application, be four months as from the actual filing date of that application.
16See decision/opinion of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 3/92, G 4/98 (Annex I).
17Amended by decision of the Administrative Council of 13.10.1999 which entered into force on 01.03.2000 (OJ EPO 1999, 660 ff).