In order to reduce the application fee, European patent applications are usually submitted online. In order to avoid the difference of application contents, it is suggested that the graphic file (PDF format) of application documents should be provided to patent agents in Europe. Therefore, you can submit an application for graphic files to the European Patent Office.
In addition, typesetting files (WORD format) may sometimes have problems with graphics files that are electronically converted, such as special characters such as Greek letters.
Therefore, when filing a patent application in Europe, it is best to provide the scanned graphic files printed by typesetting files to the patent agents in Europe. In addition, in order to facilitate the revision of the claims and specifications at the time of application or after application, it is best to provide the original typesetting documents.
(two) a copy of the application for retrieval results.
For patent applications, PCT international patent applications and divisional applications submitted directly to Europe after the filing date of 2011,applications claiming priority also need to submit copies of search results similar to those in the United States. If it is not submitted, the examiner may require it to submit it within 2 months during the review period; If you don't reply, the application will be considered as withdrawn.
(3) the defense after the international application enters the European stage.
When the patent office outside the European Patent Office is an international retrieval unit or an international preliminary examination unit, after entering the European stage, the European Patent Office will write a supplementary retrieval report, including the same opinions as the examination report.
(4) How to solve the common language of non-European patent offices?
The common language of the European Patent Office is German, English or French. If the patent application is submitted in a language other than these common languages, translation documents must be submitted.
(5) divisional application
The principle of submitting a divisional application is that the parent case application is still under review. When the parent case applies for authorization, the application for division can still be submitted until the day before the publication of the authorization bulletin of the European Patent Office. On the other hand, when the parent case application is rejected, the divisional application can also be submitted on the last day of two months from the date of written notice of rejection. If a review is required, a divisional application may be submitted at the review stage.
(6) Designated inventors
When the PCT international application enters the European stage, there is no need to designate an inventor. However, all other applications, including divisional applications, need to designate inventors. There is no extra charge for this designation. The following information shall be provided when the inventor is appointed: the name of the inventor; The mailing address of the inventor, etc.