Chapter II – Provisions governing the application
(1) The request for grant of a European patent shall be filed on a form drawn up by the European Patent Office.
(2) The request shall contain:
(a) a petition for the grant of a European patent;
(b) the title of the invention, which shall clearly and concisely state the technical designation of the invention and shall exclude all fancy names;
(c)67 the name, address and nationality of the applicant and the State in which their his residence or principal place of business is located. Names of natural persons shall be indicated by the person's family name, followed by their his given names. Names of legal persons, as well as of bodies equivalent to legal persons under the law governing them, shall be indicated by their official designations. Addresses shall be indicated in accordance with applicable customary requirements for prompt postal delivery and shall comprise all the relevant administrative units, including the house number, if any. It is recommended that the fax and telephone numbers be indicated;
(d)68 if the applicant has appointed a representative, his the representative's name and the address of their his place of business as prescribed in sub-paragraph (c), if the applicant has appointed a representative;
(e) where appropriate, an indication that the application constitutes a divisional application and the number of the earlier European patent application;
(f) in cases covered by Article 61, paragraph 1(b), the number of the original European patent application;
(g) where applicable, a declaration claiming the priority of an earlier application and indicating the date on which and the country in or for which the earlier application was filed;
(h)69 the signature of the applicant or his their representative;
(i) a list of the documents accompanying the request. This list shall also indicate the number of sheets of the description, claims, drawings and abstract filed with the request;
(j) the designation of the inventor, where the applicant is the inventor.
(3) If there is more than one applicant, the request shall preferably contain the appointment of one applicant or representative as common representative.
66The latest version of the form is available on the EPO website.
67Amended by decision of the Administrative Council CA/D 26/23 of 14.12.2023 (OJ EPO 2024, A16), which entered into force on 01.04.2024.
See decision of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 3/99 (Annex I).
68English and French version amended by decision of the Administrative Council CA/D 26/23 of 14.12.2023 (OJ EPO 2024, A16), which entered into force on 01.04.2024.
69English version amended by decision of the Administrative Council CA/D 26/23 of 14.12.2023 (OJ EPO 2024, A16), which entered into force on 01.04.2024.
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13.12.2007 - 31.03.2024Decision of the Administrative Council of 07.12.2006 (CA/D 10/06), (OJ EPO 2007, 8 and Special edition 1/2007)01.04.2024 -CA/D 26/23 (OJ EPO 2024, A16)
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EPC EPC 1973 R. 41 R. 26