EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE
Information from the EPO
European Patent Convention: HTML version
The HTML version of the European Patent Convention (www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/html/epc/2016/e/index.html) is updated regularly to show all texts as currently in force. It thus contains the full official text of the EPC with any amendments (e.g. to the Implementing Regulations) since the print edition was published (16th edition, June 2016), included as from their entry into force.
- Optimised for online use, the HTML version contains embedded links to cross-referenced EPC provisions and any Official Journal items published from 2014 onwards.
- The "Version history" function can be used to find out about any earlier versions of a provision and any related transitional rules.
- What has changed in the HTML version since adoption of the version published in the print edition can be displayed by selecting the "Show modifications" check box on the upper right-hand side.
The HTML version can be printed selectively or in its entirety, with or without amendments.
The EPC, the Implementing Regulations and the Rules relating to Fees (RFees) are updated regularly and are now available on the EPO website for download as PDF files to facilitate searching offline and printing of the texts currently in force. The PDF versions are updated on the date an amendment to a provision takes effect and can be accessed on the HTML version web page (link above).
Readers are reminded that the latest print edition of the EPC (16th edition published in June 2016) is available as a PDF file on the EPO website. It is preceded by a list of amendments adopted by the Administrative Council since it was published.
The 17th print edition of the EPC is scheduled for 2019 and will be published at the same time as the update of the "Ancillary Regulations to the EPC".