e-learning centre of the European Patent Academy

Do you want to learn how to apply the criteria for clarity as well as the methodology for determining unity of invention in line with EPO practice (Guidelines and case law)?

This course provides you with the information you need on these topics, while giving examples of relevant Boards of Appeal decisions related to clarity and unity of invention.

This distance learning course is offered to patent examiners at national IP offices. Participants will learn to assess novelty and inventive step in line with the EPO practice (Guidelines and Case Law). Virtual classroom sessions allow for direct interaction with expert tutors from the European Patent Office.

This online course takes specific examples as a basis for discussing the practical application of the legal texts by EPO staff in their daily work. Participants will have the opportunity to experience what the work of an examiner or a member of the Board of Appeal looks like, based on exercises, such as drafting a written opinion in search, evaluation amendments in examination, elaborating summons in opposition, and drafting a communication in appeal, among others.

The fee of EUR 320,- covers the participation in the course.

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This distance learning course is intended for search champions nominated by their national office to help their local peers with the new Common Search Tool.

This advanced-level seminar is an exchange meeting between experienced examiners from NPOs of the member states and from the EPO, focused this year on disclosure and implicit features. The goal is to establish a review of the practices and to point out common elements and differences.

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This course includes presentations by EPO lawyers and examiners on recent changes in EPO substantive and procedural matters. Topics addressed are: assessing evidence and plausibility in sufficiency; essential features and their impact on compliance with EPC requirements; latest developments in the Guidelines referred to computer implemented inventions (CII); and procedural aspects at the final stages of the grant procedure towards the best possible protection.

This blended e-learning course addresses the preparation for the EQE pre-examination. The on-line training material contains in-depth articles, case studies, quizzes to test your knowledge and previous examinations. Experienced epi tutors support you in a discussion forum as well as in live virtual classroom sessions.

The fee of EUR 350,- covers the participation in the course.

Online registration

How much do you know about time limits? Why not test your knowledge of the various topics in our question groups?

The European Patent Office addressed the challenges and opportunities of patenting Artificial Intelligence at a one-day conference on 30 May 2018, which connected people from business, academia, the judiciary, policy making and patent offices. This course room offers access to the recordings of the lectures and panel discussions.

The conference Examination Matters has become the meeting place for patent attorneys dealing with the EPO in the patent granting procedure. This course room offers access to the recordings of ten public lectures covering some of the most popular topics of the event.

This online seminar is intended to present the background and the impact of two decisions of the Enlarged Board of Appeal – G 3/19 and G 1/19.

On completion of the course, participants will have an advanced understanding of the two topics.

This course room offers access to videos giving an overview of the new Guidelines (in force as of March 2021) and the updates relevant for examiner procedures.

This course will provide participants with a comprehensive overview and understanding of issues arising in patent infringement cases and proceedings.

It is recommended for judges from EPC member states, with little or some experience in hearing patent cases. The course is only open to judges who sit in courts competent to hear patent cases in their countries.

These lectures are an opportunity to find out more about the services provided by the EPO, the latest developments in the PCT system and many practical aspects of the PCT procedure. Each lecture deals with the interaction with the EPO at different stages of the PCT procedure: as Receiving Office, as International Search Authority, International Preliminary Examination Authority and as a Designated Office. The speakers are experienced PCT lawyers from the directorate in charge of European and international legal affairs.

This distance learning course is intended for beginners in the profession but also for patent practitioners/patent engineers in industry that would like to refresh their EPC knowledge and skills. Participants will find out about the main steps of pre-drafting and drafting a European patent application, together with the formal and substantive aspects of prosecution.

Virtual classroom sessions allow for direct interaction with epi experts.

Level of expertise: Basic level

Fee: 350 € (for epi members)

This self-paced training course gives an in-depth overview on the opposition procedure at the EPO.

Pan-European Seal: this on-line course is mandatory for candidates in international & legal affairs (DG5).

The EPO has been conducting a pilot project since 4 May 2020 for oral proceedings by videoconference before opposition divisions.

Get a feel for this new way of conducting oral proceedings by watching a recording of mock proceedings featuring a real EPO opposition division and experienced European patent attorneys.

The European Patent Convention (EPC) sets out the legal framework for a single, harmonised patent granting procedure for the European patent, which exists in parallel with national patents subject to national prosecution procedures.

Post-grant litigation and enforcement procedures differ quite substantially across the EPC contracting states, as do the courts adjudicating on patent matters. This online course provides a country-by-country overview.

This course room offers access to material covering a range of topics related to computer-implemented inventions, patentability requirements to new technologies, artificial intelligence and specific uses of CII in fields like biotech and healthcare.

This course has been designed for patent attorneys and IP professionals with experience in filing PCT applications with the EPO. It offers access to four online sessions which provide an opportunity to find out more about updates on the services provided by the EPO, the latest developments in the PCT system and many practical aspects of the PCT procedure.

This self-paced course room gives candidates access to the actual pre-examination papers from 2015 to 2017.

This self-paced training course is all about understanding and interpreting the information contained in search reports and written opinions. The emphasis is on practical examples and exercises.

Pan-European Seal: this on-line course is mandatory for candidates in science and technology fields (DG1) and in international & legal affairs (DG5).

This course is intended for those interested in judicial matters, such as the concept of "prior user", the principle applied to interpreting the scope of patent claims in an invention, the enforcement directive on IP rights and developments with regard to the unitary patent.

When having to decide if to grant a patent or refuse an application, the EPO examines whether an application meets the requirements of the European Patent Convention (EPC).

What exactly does this involve? And which are the steps of the procedure?

This course will give you an overview of the grant procedure at the EPO with insights into related formalities, structure and role of the Boards of Appeal and options to accelerate the procedure.