Can witnesses be heard or other evidence be taken via VICO?

By decision dated 15 December 2020, the Administrative Council decided to amend Rules 117 and 118 EPC to allow evidence to be taken by videoconference (VICO) in proceedings before the EPO. The amendment took effect as of 1 January 2021. Evidence can be taken by videoconference regardless of whether the oral proceedings are held by VICO or on the EPO premises. For further information, see the Administrative Council decision (OJ EPO 2020, A132), the Notice from the EPO dated 17 December 2020 concerning the taking of evidence by videoconference by examining and opposition divisions (OJ EPO 2020, A135) and Article 5(2) of the decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 22 November 2022 (OJ 2022, A103).