EPO to launch pilot project for issuing electronic priority documents starting today

In line with the Strategic Plan 2028, the European Patent Office (EPO) continues its journey towards the full digitalisation of the patent granting process. Guided by a focus on user-experience and efficiency, one of the first initiatives of 2025 will be the digitalisation of priority documents that can be requested from the EPO. As of today pilot users will be able to request EPO priority documents in electronic, rather than in paper format, making them easier to obtain and use, with the full rollout to all users planned for later this year.

A new service that also contributes to our sustainability goals

With this new service, an electronic priority document can be requested via MyEPO Portfolio and will arrive in the applicant’s Mailbox as an archive file (ZIP). This file will also include any sequence listings as received from the applicant, where applicable. Today, dedicated technical specifications have been published in the Official Journal to support offices of second filing in validating the EPO electronic priority documents they receive from applicants. A feature guide is also available on the ”MyEPO services” area of the EPO website.

The new service implements the decision of the European Patent Organisation’s Administrative Council on common practice regarding issuing and accepting electronic priority documents, in the context of the convergence of practice programme. The EPO is one of the first patent authorities to implement this approved common practice which also contributes to its sustainability goals.

How the EPO’s electronic priority documents complement WIPO DAS

The introduction of electronic priority documents complements the World Intellectual Property Organization's Digital Access Service (WIPO DAS), by specifically meeting the needs of applicants who are claiming priority from an application with the EPO and would like to file electronically with offices not participating in WIPO DAS.

Looking ahead

As we advance through 2025, we will remain committed to delivering high quality products and services, including by further developing our online services in collaboration with our user community. Our goal is to ensure that every step of the way is smooth, efficient, user-centric and focused on maintaining the highest standards of service.

In particular 2025 will see:

• an option to download multimedia citations
• improved usability of MyEPO Portfolio interfaces (redesign)
• additional self-management options
• the complete decommissioning of the Online Filing (eOLF) software (including version 5.15) at the end of the 2025. After that, Online Filing 2.0 will be the sole tool for filing with the EPO
• and much more

For updates on future changes and enhancements, please check our Online User Engagement Pipeline and stay tuned for announcements throughout the year.