4.1.2 Information concerning the applicant 

For the purposes of establishing a filing date, information must be supplied which:

(i)identifies the applicant or 

(ii)allows the applicant to be contacted. 

If there are multiple applicants, the above information has to be supplied for only one of them. Any kind of information that allows the applicant to be contacted will be considered to fulfil requirement (ii), for example:

(a)the name and address of the applicant's representative 

(b)a PO box number 

(c)a phone number. 

If the information supplied is sufficient to establish a filing date but not for the EPO to establish whether or not the applicant requires a representative according to Art. 133(2), the procedure outlined in A‑III, 16 will be followed.

In deciding whether the applicant information supplied satisfies the requirements for establishing a filing date, the EPO will take into account all data contained in the documents filed (see J 25/86). Objection should not be raised at this stage with regard to the status of the applicant or the entitlement to apply, or where, in the case of joint applicants, there is doubt as to the contracting states designated by the individual applicants.