Important changes to EPO Rules from 1 April 2010

The European Patent Office has published changes to the Rules that will come into force on 1 April 2010.  Hopefully, the changes will give a faster, more streamlined procedure for granting European patents.

These new rules will have a major impact on preparation and prosecution of European patent applications.  In particular, the changes will affect four main areas:

1.  Time Limits for Filing Divisional Applications

2.  Multiple Independent Claims

3.  Responding to the Written Opinion

4.  Voluntary Amendments during Examination

More detailed information is given in this PDF leaflet and we would be happy to give you more detailed advice on the new Rules.