Proceedings Before the European Patent Office

The second edition of this acclaimed and widely-used book has been thoroughly updated in light of, among others, the revised Rules of Procedure of the Boards of Appeal, which entered into force in January 2020. It provides the first detailed understanding of these new rules and their influence on opposition and appeal proceedings. This second edition gives valuable guidance on how to: draft and prosecute patent applications to avoid problems later on in opposition and appeal properly attack or defend a patent react if the patent is amended argue in case of late filings act in oral proceedings. Dealing with all stages of proceedings before the EPO, this book provides fresh insight into how best to act at each stage to successfully complete a case in opposition and appeal, detailing how opposition divisions and boards of appeal approach the cases before them. Experienced practitioners will find that the detailed case law citation adds depth to their knowledge. The 'practical advice' sections and 'example cases' provide patent lawyers and attorneys with invaluable guidance on specific procedural and substantive questions.