A few weeks left - Starting 1 January, 2-factor authentication required to access our online services – changes to filing tools

In line with its Strategic Plan 2028, the European Patent Office (EPO) made notable progress in 2024 in its digital transformation of the patent granting process (PGP). Older tools and services were removed, and new more powerful features were introduced. Today, some 22 000 IP professionals from patent attorney firms, industry and research institutes regularly use MyEPO services for their professional needs and over 8 800 receive communications electronically using the EPO Mailbox. In mid-October this year, our online Mailbox services reached the landmark of 10 million mail items sent electronically.

As the year comes to an end, two major initiatives remain, both of which will soon reach their conclusion.

Accessing MyEPO services: 2FA will replace smart cards

From 1 January onwards, two-factor authentication (2FA) will be the sole method for accessing our online services, replacing the EPO smart card system. Originally introduced in 2023, 2FA enhances both convenience and security.

Unlike smart cards, which require physical possession and a compatible reader, 2FA allows users to authenticate from anywhere. This flexibility makes 2FA particularly beneficial for on-the-go access and remote work, ensuring secure, easy and convenient use of MyEPO services from any location. The login process itself involves an additional layer of security, allowing MyEPO users to choose between phone, email, Google Authenticator or Okta Verify.

For more details on accessing MyEPO services or the available authentication options, please visit our website. If you have any questions about accessing online services offered by national patent offices, we recommend contacting the relevant national office directly.

Changes to our filing tools

To streamline our filing tools and focus on the Online Filing 2.0 (OLF 2.0) web application, the two following filing tools will be discontinued as of 1 January 2025:

• Webform Filing tool: will no longer be available for document submission
• eOLF software Version 5.14: the Online Filing software (eOLF) version 5.14 will be retired alongside the smart card system. However, the updated Online Filing software (eOLF) version 5.15, which supports 2FA login, remains available. 

We encourage all users to transition already now to our web application Online Filing 2.0 (OLF 2.0).

Looking ahead

As we will advance through 2025, we will remain committed to delivering quality services by developing further improvements of our online services in collaboration with our user community. Our goal is to ensure that all transitions are smooth, user-centric, and focused on maintaining the highest standards of service quality.

In particular 2025 will see

• a new option to obtain digitally signed electronic priority documents
• an option to download multimedia citations
• improved useability of MyEPO Portfolio screens
• availability of new tools for legal information (Legal Interactive Platform)
• additional self-management options
• complete decommissioning of the Online Filing (eOLF) software (including version 5.15) at end of the year
• and much more.

For updates on future changes and enhancements, please check our Online User Engagement Pipeline and stay tuned for announcements throughout 2025.