EPC 1973 | EPC 2000 |
---|---|
R. 95a | R. 147 |
Chapter VIII – Information to the public
Rule 95a 138
Constitution, maintenance and preservation of files
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) The European Patent Office shall constitute, maintain and preserve files relating to all European patent applications and patents.
(2) The President of the European Patent Office shall determine the form in which the files relating to European patent applications and patents shall be constituted, maintained and preserved.
(3) Documents incorporated in an electronic file shall be considered to be originals.
(4) Files relating to European patent applications and patents shall be preserved for at least five years from the end of the year in which:
(a) the application is refused or withdrawn or is deemed to be withdrawn;
(b) the patent is revoked pursuant to opposition proceedings; or
(c) the patent or the extended term or corresponding protection under Article 63, paragraph 2, lapses in the last of the designated States.
(5) Without prejudice to paragraph 4, files relating to European patent applications which have given rise to divisional applications under Article 76 or new applications under Article 61, paragraph 1(b), shall be preserved for at least the same period as the files relating to any one of these last applications. The same shall apply to files relating to any resulting European patents.
138Amended by decision of the Administrative Council of 10.12.1998 which entered into force on 01.01.1999 (OJ EPO 1999, 1 ff).