Shutterstock/Early Spring
For companies that are considering conducting patent litigation around the world, the EPO is a very useful forum for testing their strategy or opposition tactics at a relatively low cost. Hazel Ford and Leythem Wall of Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner describe the numerous advantages of the procedures available.
As we bear witness to the rising popularity of the new post-grant proceedings in the US, we can reflect upon the long-standing procedures for pre-grant observations and post-grant oppositions at the European Patent Office (EPO).
These procedures remain very popular today, not just for challenging applications and patents at the EPO, but also as a tool in litigation worldwide.
The EPO places a high priority on its quality control procedures and its ability to grant high quality, valid, patents. It encourages third parties to assist the EPO’s examiners by filing observations or oppositions relating to the patentability of European patent applications or patents.
You need a subscription to continue reading this content.
Start a subscription today to access the LSIPR website.
To access the full archive, digital magazines and special reports you will need to take out a paid subscription.
News stories up to a week old and feature articles on the day of publication are accessible with a BASIC FREE ACCOUNT.
Register here for free content, or subscribe for access to archive.
If you have already subscribed please login.
If you have any technical issues please email tech support.
For access to the complete website, archive, and to receive print publications, choose '12 MONTH SUBSCRIPTION'. For a free, two-week trial with full access, select ‘TWO WEEK FREE TRIAL’; and for basic access to the latest news on the website and weekly email news alerts choose the 'BASIC FREE ACCOUNT' registration.
EPO, patent litigation, pre-grant observations, European patent, biotech, chemicle
