EPO defends changes to rules on divisionals
01 September 2010
Emma Barraclough, London
The EPO has denied that its plan to review rules on filing divisional applications just six months after they were introduced represents a failure to consult adequately when it overhauled its regulations in April
New measures, including strict time limits on filing divisional applications, come into force at the European Patent Office on April 1 this year.
They have been criticised by many patent owners and attorneys for being unclear and too restrictive. In particular, patent applicants and their advisers say that they are uncertain as to what triggers the time limits for filing a divisional application.
But a spokesman for the EPO has told Managing IP that it will now consult with users over the wording of the new Rule 36 of the European Patent Convention.
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