4.3 Filing European patent applications
4.3.2Date of filing
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A revised version of this publication entered into force. |
4.3.006The date of filing accorded to applications filed in electronic form (using the EPO Online Filing software, EPO Online Filing 2.0, the EPO Web-Form Filing service or the EPO Contingency Upload Service) or sent by post is the date on which the application documents are received at the EPO, provided the documents comply with the requirements of Article 80 and Rule 40 (see point 5.2.001).
Where applications are filed in person at the EPO, the corresponding date is the date on which they are handed in or posted in one of the EPO's automated mailboxes, which are available in Munich (PschorrHöfe building only, Zollstrasse) and Berlin.
The above rules similarly apply to applications filed with the competent national authorities of the contracting states.