2004/48
© 2009 - VOSSIUS & PARTNER
Topics
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. Divisional Applications – General Requirements Divisional Applications – New Rules – Voluntary Divisionals – Mandatory Divisionals – Legal Consequences – Transitional Provisions
VII. Further EPC Changes
© 2009 - VOSSIUS & PARTNER
I Divisional Applications: General Requirements
© 2009 - VOSSIUS & PARTNER
Divisionals: General Requirements
Article 76 - European divisional applications
(1) A European divisional application shall be filed directly with the European Patent Office … It may be filed only in respect of subject-matter which does not extend beyond the content of the earlier application as filed; in so far as this requirement is complied with, the divisional application shall be deemed to have been filed on the date of filing of the earlier application and shall enjoy any right of priority.
© 2009 - VOSSIUS & PARTNER
Divisionals: General Requirements
• part of the subject-matter of an application can be pursued in one or more divisional applications • a divisional application can serve as the basis of a further divisional application • the priority date/filing date of the divisional application is that of the parent application • all fees, including renewal fees, which were due in the parent application, have to be paid upon filing the divisional application (→ high costs)
© 2009 - VOSSIUS & PARTNER
Divisionals: General Requirements
Rule 36 - European divisional applications
(1) The applicant may file a divisional application relating to any pending earlier European patent application.
© 2009 - VOSSIUS & PARTNER
Divisionals: General Requirements
“pending”: • if parent is granted: up to 1 day before grant is published • if the parent might be rejected in oral proc., the divisional should be filed prior to oral proceedings • the divisional cannot be filed during the appeal period if an appeal is not filed (G