European Patent Office's utilisation scheme

Applicants who file a European Patent (EP) application that claims priority from an earlier UK filing should be aware of the recent notice concerning the utilisation scheme from the European Patent Office (EPO).

The aim of the scheme is to improve the efficiency and/or quality of the European patent system by making better use of work previously carried out by national offices. The UK Intellectual Property Office is currently working with the EPO in developing an arrangement for the electronic transfer of search reports as set out in paragraph 2.2 of the notice. This electronic transfer will exempt applicants from the obligation of filing a copy of the search report under Rule 141(1) EPC.