INFORMATION FROM THE EPO
Notice dated 6 February 1997 concerning the modification of the system for the refund of fees
The EPO Treasury and Accounts department is currently rationalising its refund procedures and wishes to inform you of the introduction of a new system for the refund of fees, which will enter into force on 15 March 1997.
Initially, the new system will only apply to refunds in respect of direct European filings and Euro-PCT applications in the regional phase. For the time being, the old manual system will be retained for PCT applications in the international phase.
Important:
We are anxious to draw your attention to the following changes in procedure as a result of the new system:
1. It will no longer be possible to refund fee payments in currencies other than Deutsche Mark to a deposit account. Instead, refunds will automatically be paid by issuing a cheque in the currency of the original payment.
2. Fees paid in Deutsche Mark either by cheque or by transfer to our account with the Dresdner Bank or our Giro account can only be refunded to a deposit account if box 44 (DEPA) on Form 1001.5 or box 13 (Reimbursement) on Form 1200.5 was ticked and the deposit account number entered at the time of filing.
In the case of pending applications, it would be wise to check whether the relevant boxes were ticked at the time of filing. If not, you are requested to provide the Treasury and Accounts department straight away with a list of the patent applications for which any refund should be paid by credit to a deposit account.
3. Fees paid by debit to a deposit account will automatically be refunded to that account, provided that either box 44 (DEPA) or box 13 (Reimbursement) - depending on the Form used - was ticked and the deposit account number entered at the time of filing. If this is not the case a refund will be executed by issuing a bank cheque which you will be obliged to present at your bank for payment. These cheques may under no circumstances be returned to the EPO.
These new arrangements should make it possible to improve and expedite the handling of refunds.