XI. FILING OF PATENT APPLICATIONS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
XI.3 - Decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 19 June 2017 concerning the EPO Online Filing software to be used for the electronic filing of documents
Further to the decision dated 10 November 2015 concerning the electronic filing of documents1, and having regard to Rule 2 EPC and Rule 89bis.1 and 2 PCT, the President of the European Patent Office has decided as follows:
Article 1
Software to be used for electronic filing
(1) Electronic filings in accordance with Article 5 of the above-mentioned decision dated 10 November 2015 must be made using version 5.09 (build 5.0.9.148) or later releases of the EPO Online Filing software.
(2) Once this decision has entered into force, electronic filings using releases earlier than version 5.09 (build 5.0.9.148) will no longer be accepted by the Office's receiving server.
Article 2
International (PCT) applications
Article 1(2) does not apply to international (PCT) applications and other documents relating to international applications filed in electronic form with the European Patent Office under the PCT. Such applications and documents, including the demand under PCT Chapter II, which are prepared and filed using releases of the EPO Online Filing software earlier than version 5.09 (build 5.0.9.148) will be accepted by the Office's receiving server. International applications can also be prepared and filed using PCT-SAFE or ePCT.
Article 3
Previous decisions superseded
When this decision enters into force, the decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 5 February 2015 concerning the EPO Online Filing software to be used for the electronic filing of documents (OJ EPO 2015, A26) will cease to have effect.
Article 4
Entry into force
This decision shall enter into force on 1 September 2017.
Done at Munich, 19 June 2017
Benoît BATTISTELLI
President
1 See OJ EPO 2015, A91.