Section

  • ORAL PROCEEDINGS BY VIDEOCONFERENCE


    • INTRODUCTION

      Have a look at some information about the legal background and technical requirements for oral proceedings by videoconference before opposition divisions:

      BACKGROUND INFORMATION [Text]

      The EPO has been conducting a pilot project since 4 May 2020 for oral proceedings by videoconference before opposition divisions (see the relevant decision and notice). Under the terms of the project, oral proceedings before opposition divisions may be held by videoconference via Skype for Business if all parties as well as the division agree, and if the proceedings do not require the taking of evidence. If interpretation is required or proceedings include multiple parties the videoconference will be held via Zoom.

      This training module, produced by the EPO in co-operation with the epi, starts with an introduction to the legal background and technical requirements for such online proceedings and then shows a recording of mock oral proceedings held by videoconference. The mock proceedings were conducted by a real EPO opposition division with experienced European patent attorneys.  

      In the recording, you will see how formalities are completed in oral proceedings held by videoconference. For instance, you will learn how to:

      • start a videoconference with distributed participation
      • check the identity of the persons involved
      • facilitate participation by members of the public
      • open proceedings
      • accept submissions by email
      • interrupt and resume proceedings, e.g. for deliberation in secret by the participants of one party or by the division
      • announce decisions and close proceedings.

      Participants (EPO)
      Heli Pihlajamaa, Britta Kley, Nataša Doslik, Theodora Butkowskyj-Walkiw and Frédéric Bockstahl

      Participants (epi)
      Chris Mercer, Bart van Wezenbeek, David Brophy and John Gray

      OPPOSITION USING THE ZOOM PLATFORM [Video, 19 mins]


      The European Patent Academy organised two web public seminars in September 2020 where patent examiners and attorneys shared their experiences, provided practical tips and answered the questions from the audience.
      Click here for the recording of one of them.

      MOCK-CASE USING THE ZOOM PLATFORM [Video, 1:04 hours; available in E/D/F]


      The recording is available in English, German and French. You can select the language in the lower right area of the video player.

      Accompanying documents

      INTRODUCTORY REMARKS [Video, 3 mins]


      LEGAL ASPECTS [Video, 16 mins]


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      TECHNICAL SET UP & NETIQUETTE [Video, 8 mins]


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    • MOCK ORAL PROCEEDINGS

      Have a look at the case underlying the oral proceedings:

      THE CASE [Video, 7 mins]


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      Watch the recording of the mock oral proceedings [Video, 53 mins]:

      Disclaimer: This training material was developed to demonstrate how oral proceedings in opposition are conducted via videoconference using Skype for Business™. The videoconference layout in this recording has been adapted to highlight the roles and interactions in the mock hearing and does not necessarily reflect the layout that users will see during an actual videoconference.

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