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Chapter I – Common provisions governing procedure

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  1. Home
  2. The European Patent Convention – Contents
  3. European Patent Convention
  4. Part VII
  5. Chapter I
  6. Article 121
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Article 121 – Further processing of the European patent application

Article 113 – Right to be heard and basis of decisions
Article 114 – Examination by the European Patent Office of its own motion
Article 115 – Observations by third parties
Article 116 – Oral proceedings
Article 117 – Means and taking of evidence
Article 118 – Unity of the European patent application or European patent
Article 119 – Notification
Article 120 – Time limits
Article 121 – Further processing of the European patent application
Article 122 – Re-establishment of rights
Article 123 – Amendments
Article 124 – Information on prior art
Article 125 – Reference to general principles
Article 126 – (deleted)

Article 121140
Further processing of the European patent application

Part VII – Common provisions
Chapter I – Common provisions governing procedure

(1) If an applicant fails to observe a time limit vis-à-vis the European Patent Office, he may request further processing of the European patent application. 

(2) The European Patent Office shall grant the request, provided that the requirements laid down in the Implementing Regulations are met. Otherwise, it shall reject the request. 

(3) If the request is granted, the legal consequences of the failure to observe the time limit shall be deemed not to have ensued. 

(4) Further processing shall be ruled out in respect of the time limits in Article 87, paragraph 1, Article 108 and Article 112a, paragraph 4, as well as the time limits for requesting further processing or re-establishment of rights. The Implementing Regulations may rule out further processing for other time limits.


140Amended by the Act revising the European Patent Convention of 29.11.2000.

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