Patents
Oral hearings at the EPO mandatorily by videoconference from 4 January 2021
[13/11/2020] In the current context of travel restrictions, the European Patent Office has announced further measures regarding oral proceedings :
1. Postponement of in-person opposition hearings (currently until 31 December 2020) are further extended to 15 September 2021;
2. The consent of all parties for holding an opposition by VICO will no longer be necessary with effect from 4 January 2021.
In other terms, as from 4 January 2021, oral hearings in opposition proceedings will be mandatorily held by video conference with very limited exceptions.
Oral hearings in examination proceedings will continue to be held by videoconference.
If you have any questions, please contact your usual Germain Maureau attorney.