Simplification of filing and signing of authorisations
In its commitment to promote digital transformation and simplify procedures for users, the EPO will streamline the handling of authorisations as of 1 November 2024.
Equal treatment of legal practitioners and professional representatives regarding the filing of authorisations
Legal practitioners will no longer need to file an authorisation as a matter of principle. Only in exceptional cases will they need to file such authorisation, namely either upon invitation by the EPO or in the event of a change of representative involving representatives who are not members of the same association and without explicit withdrawal of the previous representative. This aligns with the existing requirements for professional representatives.
Acceptance of electronic signatures on authorisations
The EPO will accept a broad range of electronic signatures on authorisations, including text string, digital, and facsimile signatures, thus aligning with the legal requirements applicable to documents supporting the requests for registration of a transfer of a patent application.
Information in case of change of representative
Additionally, in the case of a representative change without explicit withdrawal of the previous representative from representation, the EPO will continue to inform the previous representative but will no longer send a copy of the authorisation.
Further information
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