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INFORMATION FROM THE EPO

Notice dated 1 October 2003 concerning early entry into the European phase of an international application

With the entry into force of the amendment of Rule 107(1) EPC on 2 January 20021 (uniform time limit of 31 months for entry into the European phase), the European Patent Office announced that, if the applicant has fully satisfied all the requirements for European phase entry before expiry of the old 21-month time limit, he is deemed to have made an express request to begin processing of the international application under Article 23(2) PCT (Notice dated 1 December 2001, OJ EPO 2001, 586, Nr. 5).

This announcement is withdrawn with effect from 31 October 2003. As from this date, the European Patent Office will not begin processing of an international application prior to expiry of the 31-month time limit, unless the applicant has actually filed an express request under Article 23(2) or 40(2) PCT.