Art127eTPEPC1973

Métadonnées

• Nom affiché : Art127eTPEPC1973
• Numéro d'article : 127
• Dossier / langue : English
• Tag langue : #English
• PDF original : Articles/English/Articles 126-150/Article 127 (English version)/Art127eTPEPC1973.pdf

Comment:

The collection represents purely an internal research tool for the purpose of Directorate Patent Law of the European Patent Office. No guarantee can be given for its completeness or correctness. The documents produced before 1969 cannot be provided in English as this was not an official language in the period before that date. These documents therefore are provided in French and German.

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Art. 127 MPU Europäisches Patentregister

Entwurf, der dem nebenstehenden Dokument zugrunde liegt	Art. Nr. im Entwurf/ Dokument	Dokument, in dem der Art. behandelt wird	Fundstelle im Dokument
Vorschl.d.Vors.	59	IV/215/62	S. 57,58
VE Mai 1962	60	6551/IV/62	S. 19
VE 1965 (Ue)	60	BR/7/69	Rdn. 21/22
VE 1970 (Ue)	59	BR/87/71	Rdn. 60
VE 1971 (Ue)	59	BR/144/71	Rdn. 115
VE 1971 (Ue)	59	BR/168/72	Rdn. 77
VE 1971 (Ue)	59	BR/169/72	Rdn. 51
VE 1971 (Ue)	59	BR/177/72	Rdn. 27

Dokumente der MDK

E 1972	127	M/41	S. 3 ∼ 5
"	127	M/146/R 5	Art. 127
"	127	M/PR/I	S. 64 / 6562
"	127	M/PR/G	S. 203-187

REPORT

by Mr. Paul Braendli, Lic. iur. Vice-Director of the Federal Intellectual Property Office (Switzerland) on the results of Main Committee I's proceedings

REPORT

by Mr. R. Bowen Assistant Comptroller, British Patent Office on the results of Main Committee II's proceedings

REPORT

by Mr. Fressonnet Deputy Director of the Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (France) on the results of Main Committee III's proceedings

REPORT

by Mr. A. Fernandez Mazarambroz Head of the Spanish Patent Office on the results of the Credentials Committee's proceedings with regard to full powers for signing the Convention

Article 125 - Reference to general principles

665. In connection with Article 125, it was established at the request of the United Kingdom delegation that there was majority agreement in the Main Committee on the following: that it was a generally recognised principle of procedural law in the Contracting States that a person can be granted only one European patent for the same invention in respect of which there are several applications with the same date of filing. 666. The Norwegian delegation stated that it could not agree to this principle in its present general form since under Scandinavian law it was possible in theory to grant two patents to an applicant for the same invention. 667. The FICPI delegation wondered what was meant in this instance by the same application or the same patent; did it mean that the content was substantially the same or that the patent claims were substantially the same? 668. The United Kingdom delegation interpreted it as meaning that the patent claims were the same. 669. It was furthermore established, at the request of the United Kingdom delegation, that it was the unanimous opinion of the Main Committee that the European Patent Office had the right to correct any inadvertent errors on its part.

Article 126 - Termination of financial obligations

670. At the suggestion of the Belgian delegátion, the Main Committee referred Article 126 to the Drafting Committee to see whether a more suitable heading could be found.

Article 127 - Register of European Patents

671. The Austrian delegation proposed that it should be made clear that entries in the Register of Patents could be made, not only on the basis of the Convention, but also on the basis of the Implementing Regulations (M/41, point 5). 672. The German and Netherlands delegations considered such clarification superfluous in view of Article 163 (164). 673. The Austrian delegation accordingly withdrew the proposal. 674. The Austrian delegation further proposed that Article 127 be so worded that legal amendments concerning the European patent made during the opposition proceedings which, in any case, were entered in the relevant national patent registers, should also be entered in the European Register of Patents. Awareness of such entries could be of particular importance for opponents. The Austrian delegation also felt that it should be made clear that no entry could be made in the Register of European Patents once the opposition proceedings had been concluded (M/41, points 6-8). 675. The German delegation maintained that the Austrian delegation's request was already covered since Rule 62 (61) together with Rule 20 laid down that the transfer of the European patent during the opposition period or during opposition proceedings had to be entered in the Register of European Patents at the request of an interested party.

It did not consider it worthwhile fixing the final deadline for entries in the Register of European Patents in the Convention: the German delegation felt that it would be preferable to leave the matter as it now stood in Rule 62 (61) which could be more easily amended if the need arose. 676. The Swiss delegation came to the conclusion that the present flexible arrangement governing entries in the Register of European Patents was more expedient than a rigid provision in the Convention. 677. The Austrian delegation pointed out that its reason for proposing that a final deadline for entries in the Register of

European Patents be fixed in the first place was that under Austrian law, entries in the register had legal effect and consequently, contradictory entries in the national register on the one hand, and in the European Register on the other, could give rise to problems. 678. The Chairman replied that entries in the Register of European Patents created no rights or obligations towards third parties but only vis-à-vis the European Patent Office. Accordingly, differences between entries in the Register of European Patents and those in national registers should have no adverse consequences. 679. In view of the outcome of the discussion, the Austrian delegation withdrew its proposal even though this might cause it some difficulty.

Article 128 - Inspection of files

680. The Swedish delegation proposed that Article 128 and in particular paragraphs 1 and 4 be amended so that instead of having to wait for the patent application to be published the files would be made available for unrestricted inspection 18 months after either the date of filing or the priority date (M/53/1/II, point 7). 681. The Netherlands delegation wondered whether this would mean that copies of all patent applications would, after 18 months, have to be made available for inspection of the files. 682. The Swedish delegation considered that this would certainly not be necessary for all patent applications but only for those which competitors of the applicant wished to inspect. 683. The United Kingdom delegation pointed out that patent applications would probably be published very shortly after expiry of the 18 -month period from the date of filing or priority date. If only a short period - about 1 month - was going to elapse before publication, it would not be worthwhile setting up a special section in the European Patent Office for inspection (with its own staff and a special library). Moreover, it would not be right to allow the files to be inspected before the provisional protection deriving from the application had begun; this would be afforded only on publication. 684. The German delegation also drew attention to this point. It furthermore pointed out that practice of making as yet unpublished applications available to third parties could detract from novelty. For these reasons it had no alternative but to reject the Swedish proposal. 685. The Swiss delegation opposed the Swedish proposal mainly on the grounds that during the period between the date of making available the files for inspection and the publication of the application, the applicant would have no provisional legal protection. 686. The IAPIP delegation agreed with the German delegation's views. 687. Having considered these objections, the Swedish delegation withdrew its proposal. 688. The Main Committee referred to the Drafting Committee a drafting proposal from the German delegation relating to paragraph 4 (M/47/1/II/III, point 42). 689. The Swiss delegation proposed that paragraph 5 (b) be supplemented to the effect that the date of any priority claim concerning third parties could also be given or published since if this date were not given, third parties could draw false conclusions (M/31, point 5, and M/54/1/II/III, page 21). 690. The United Kingdom delegation pointed out that publication of the priority date could, in some cases, conflict with Article 30, paragraph 2, of the Patent Cooperation Treaty. This problem could be overcome by including, among the information which could be given, in addition to the priority

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Introduction ..... 7 Report on the meeting of the Plenary ..... 9 Opening Meeting (M/PR/K/1) Minutes of the proceedings of the Credentials Committee ..... 25 (M/PR/V) Minutes of the proceedings of Main Committee I ..... 27 (M/PR/I) Minutes of the proceedings of Main Committee II ..... 109 (M/PR/II) Minutes of the proceedings of Main Committee III ..... 155 (M/PR/III) Minutes of the proceedings of the Committee of the Whole ..... 163 (M/PR/G) Report on the meeting of the Plenary ..... 199 Final Meeting (M/PR/K/2) List of participants ..... 211

FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS

(Munich, 10 September to 5 October, 1973)

Chapter II

Information to the public or official authorities

Register of European Patents

The European Patent Office shall keep a register, to be known as the Register of European Patents, which shall contain those particulars the registration of which is provided for by this Convention. No entry shall be made in the Register prior to the publication of the European patent application. The Register shall be open to public inspection.

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MUNICH DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE FOR THE SETTING UP OF A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS

- 1973 -

Munich, 30 September 1973 M/ 146/R 5 Original: English/French/German

CONFERENCE DOCUMENT

Drawn up by: General Drafting Committee

Subject: Convention: Articles 112 to 139

"Article 127, fourth sentence

... As long as a transfer within the meaning of Articles 69 and 72a has not been entered in the Register of European Patents, the previous applicant for or proprietor of the patent shall have the same rights and obligations as hitherto in proceedings before the European Patent Office." 9. A further question arises in connection with entries in the Register of European Patents, that of the law governing examination by the European Patent Office of a request for transfer and the supporting documents. Transfer documents may fulfil the legal requirements of certain designated States while being inadequate for other Contracting States. In addition, under the Austrian provisions governing derivative acquisition of rights, for example, an entry has to be made in the national register and registration fees have to be paid. A central registration procedure such as that aimed at by the Register of European Patents therefore requires a system governing, on the basis of the Convention, the relationship between the various national procedures and the central procedure.

Basically, this can be done in two ways:

1. by laying down formal minimum requirements for the request for transfer, to be examined by the European Patent Office and subsequently by the national authorities which may then reject the transfer (central registration procedure similar to the system adopted in Article 14 of the Treaty on the international registration of trade marks - TRT), or 2. by having the request for transfer examined first by the national authorities of the Contracting States, which then transmit the approved request to the European Patent Office for registration in the Register of European Patents.

Without additional provisions of this nature, the Register of European Patents would be able to function only to a very limited degree as a central reference source.

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7. In the context of the period to be covered by the Register of European Patents, a particular problem is presented by the entry of transfers. Chapter IV of Part II of the Convention covers the transfer and constitution of rights in respect of European patent applications only, the registration of which in the Register of European Patents is provided for in Chapter III of Part II of the Implementing Regulations. A change of proprietor after grant is dealt with solely by Rule 13. Yet it would hardly seem reasonable not to enter in the Register of European Patents a transfer of a patent in respect of which proceedings were still continuing before the European Patent Office. Otherwise, for example, the proprietor in opposition proceedings could be different from the person entered in the Register of European Patents. In the case of this type of information as in any other, the principle should apply that up to the end of the "European phase" relevant changes to the particulars entered in the Register of European Patents should also be entered in the Register. The proprietorship of the patent could be dealt with by inserting a new Article after Article 72 and by amending Rule 20 accordingly: "Article 72a The provisions of Articles 69 to 72 shall apply mutatis mutandis to European patents." "Rule 20 (1) Any transfer of a European patent application or of a European patent during the period laid down in Article 127 shall be recorded in the Register of European Patents at the request of an interested party ...". 8. Article 127 does not cover the legal effects of entries or amendments to entries in the Register of European Patents. Nor does Rule 20, paragraph 3, provide a satisfactory solution, as it only covers effects between the applicant and the European Patent Office. It is therefore proposed that the following be added to Article 127:

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5. Article 127

Register of European Patents Article 127 limits the Register to particulars the registration of which is provided for by the Convention. This conflicts with Rule 93, which provides for the registration of further particulars and also empowers the President of the European Patent Office to extend the list of entries to be made. Article 127 should be expanded accordingly: "Article 127, first sentence The European Patent Office shall keep a register, to be known as the Register of European Patents, which shall contain those particulars the registration of which is provided for by this Convention and the Implementing Regulations thereto." 6. The period to which entries in the Register of European Patents are to refer

There is no specific department of the European Patent Office that is responsible for making entries, so this will have to be done by the department corresponding to the relevant stage in the procedure (Receiving Section, Examining Division, etc.). After the end of the "European phase", which is marked by the grant of the patent or the final conclusion of opposition proceedings, no department of the European Patent Office is responsible. It would therefore appear expedient and indeed necessary to state specifically in Article 127 the time from which it becomes the exclusive responsibility of the national patent registers to keep the public informed. "Article 127, second sentence No entry shall be made in the Register prior to the publication of the European patent application and after the grant of the patent or, in the event of opposition proceedings, after these have been finally concluded."

MUNICH DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE

FOR THE SETTING UP OF A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS

- 1973 -

Brussels, 22 August 1973 M / 41 Original : German

PREPARATORY DOCUMENT

Drawn up by: Austrian Government

Subject: Proposals for amendments to the Drafts of the Convention, the Implementing Regulations, the Protocol on the Recognition of Decisions, the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities and the Protocol on Centralisation

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(2) Ansprüche gegen die Organisation auf Rückerstattung von Gebühren oder von Geldbeträgen, die bei der Entrichtung einer Gebühr zuviel gezahlt worden sind, durch das Europäische Patentamt erlöschen nach vier Jahren nach Ablauf des Kalenderjahrs, in dem der Anspruch entstanden ist. (3) Die in den Absätzen 1 und 2 vorgesehene Frist wird im Fall des Absatzes 1 durch eine Aufforderung zur Zahlung der Gebühr und im Fall des Absatzes 2 durch eine schriftliche Geltendmachung des Anspruchs unterbrochen. Diese Frist beginnt mit der Unterbrechung erneut zu laufen und endet spätestens sechs Jahre nach Ablauf des Jahrs, in dem sie ursprünglich zu laufen begonnen hat, es sei denn, daß der Anspruch gerichtlich geltend gemacht worden ist; in diesem Fall endet die Frist frühestens ein Jahr nach der Rechtskraft der Entscheidung.

Vgl. Regel 92 (Verzicht auf Beitreibung)

Kapitel II
Unterrichtung der Öffentlichkeit und Behörden

Artikel 127 Europäisches Patentregister Das Europäische Patentamt führt ein Patentregister mit der Bezeichnung europäisches Patentregister, in dem alle Angaben vermerkt werden, deren Eintragung in diesem Übereinkommen vorgeschrieben ist. Vor der Veröffentlichung der europäischen Patentanmeldung erfolgt keine Eintragung in das Patentregister. Jedermann kann in das Patentregister Einsicht nehmen.

Vgl. Regeln 19 (Berichtigung oder Widerruf der Erfindernennung) und 93 (Eintragungen in das europäische Patentregister)

Akteneinsicht

(1) Einsicht in die Akten europäischer Patentanmeldungen, die noch nicht veröffentlicht worden sind, wird nur mit Zustimmung des Anmelders gewährt. (2) Wer nachweist, daß der Anmelder sich ihm gegenüber auf seine europäische Patentanmeldung berufen hat, kann vor der Veröffentlichung dieser Anmeldung und ohne Zustimmung des Anmelders Akteneinsicht verlangen. (3) Nach der Veröffentlichung einer europäischen Teilanmeldung oder einer nach Artikel 59 Absatz 1 eingereichten neuen europäischen Patentanmeldung kann jedermann Einsicht in die Akten der früheren Anmeldung ungeachtet deren Veröffentlichung und ohne Zu stimmung des Anmelders verlangen. (2) Rights against the Organisation for the refunding by the European Patent Office of fees or sums of money paid in excess of a fee shall be extinguished after four years from the end of the calendar year in which the right arose. (3) The period laid down in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be interrupted in the case covered by paragraph 1 by a request for payment of the fee and in the case covered by paragraph 2 by a reasoned claim in writing. On interruption it shall begin again immediately and shall end at the latest six years after the end of the year in which it originally began, unless, in the meantime, judicial proceedings to enforce the right have begun; in this case the period shall end at the earliest one year after the judgment enters into force.

Cf. Rule 92 (Waiving of enforced recovery procedures)

Chapter II

Information to the public or official authorities

Article 127

Register of European Patents The European Patent Office shall keep a register, to be known as the Register of European Patents, which shall contain those particulars the registration of which is provided for by this Convention. No entry shall be made in the Register prior to the publication of the European patent application. The Register shall be open to public inspection.

Cf. Rules 19 (Rectification or cancellation of the designation of an inventor) and 93 (Entries in the Register of European Patents)

Inspection of files

(1) The files relating to European patent applications, which have not yet been published, shall not be made available for inspection without the consent of the applicant. (2) Any person who can prove that the applicant for a European patent has invoked the rights under the application against him may obtain inspection of the files prior to the publication of that application and without the consent of the applicant. (3) Where a European divisional application or a new European patent application filed under Article 59, paragraph 1, is published, any person may obtain inspection of the files of the earlier application prior to the publication of that application and without the consent of the relevant applicant.

PROJET DE CONVENTION

INSTITUANT UN SYSTÈME EUROPÉEN DE DÉLIVRANCE DE BREVETS

ÜBER DIE EINFÜHRUNG EINES EUROPÄISCHEN PATENTERTEILUNGSVERFAHRENS 1973

(München, 10. September bis 6. Oktober 1973)

MUNICH DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE

FOR THE SETTING UP OF A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS, 1973 (Munich, 10 September to 6 October 1973)

CONFERENCE DIPLOMATIQUE DE MUNICH

POUR L'INSTITUTION D'UN SYSTÈME EUROPÉEN DE DÉLIVRANCE DE BREVETS (1973) (Munich, 10 septembre - 6 octobre 1973)

VORBEREITENDE DOKUMENTE

ausgearbeitet von der Regierungskonferenz über die Einführung eines europäischen Patenterteilungsverfahrens herausgegeben von der Regierung der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

PREPARATORY DOCUMENTS

drawn up by the Inter-Governmental Conference for the setting up of a European System for the Grant of Patents and published by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany

DOCUMENTS PRÉPARATOIRES

élaborés par la Conférence intergouvernementale pour l'institution d'un système européen de délivrance de brevets et publiés par le Gouvernement de la République fédérale d'Allemagne

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Nor was it necessary to make any amendment to Article 149, paragraph 6, in view of the fact that the Conference had agreed that "applicant" had also to be taken to mean "his successor in title". (cf. BR/168/72, point 158).

Article 66 (Requirements of the application) 28. Cf. Article 79, paragraph 4a, point 55.

Re. Article 66, No. 3 (Form and contents of claims) 29. The Working Party examined a proposal made by the Swiss delegation (BR/GT I/146/72) for improving the text of paragraph 1(a) of this provision.

The Working Party instructed the Drafting Committee to examine whether, as proposed by the Swiss delegation, the term "titre de l'invention", "Bezeichnung der Erfindung", "title of the invention", should be replaced by the term "désignation de l'objet revendiqué"; "Bezeichnung der beanspruchten Gegenstands", "designation of the claimed subject", in order to align with the terminology of Article 71a. 30. The Working Party also agreed to delete sub-paragraph (b) from paragraph 3 in view of the wishes expressed by the interested circles at the hearing. This deletion also required a textual amendment to sub-paragraph (c).

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member acting as rapporteur and excluded from taking part in making the decision, or of three legal members. Subparagraph (c) would have to be retained if the first alternative were chosen; it should be deleted if the second alternative were adopted.

The majority decision of the Working Party was to retain sub-paragraph (c). 26. The Working Party also considered sub-paragraph (b) of this same indented sub-paragraph.

It was the opinion of the United Kingdom delegation, supported by two other delegations, that this sub-paragraph should be deleted in view of the fact that this provision was no longer justifiable following the amendments which had been made with regard to divisional applications (Article 137a).

Finally, the Working Party decided to propose the deletion of sub-paragraph (b) to the Conference.

Article 59 (Register of European Patents) 27. The Working Party considered that there was no need to amend the second sentence of paragraph 1 of this Article, since there was no contradition between this provision and Article 23, paragraph 2, specifying the entry in the Register of the transfer of an application (cf. BR/168/72, point 77).

According to Article 23, paragraph 4, a transfer had effect vis-à-vis the European Patent Office upon receipt of the documents referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article: thus it was not necessary for the transfer to be recorded in the Register before publication of the application in accordance with Article 85.

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INTER-GOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE FOR THE SETTING UP OF A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS

Brussels, 13 April 1972 BR/177/72

- Secretariat -

R E P OR T

on the 11th meeting of Working Party I held in Luxembourg from 28 February to 3 March 1972

1. Working Party I held its 11th meeting in Luxembourg from 28 February to 3 March 1972 with Dr Haertel, President of the Deutsches Patentamt in the Chair.

Representatives of the Commission of the European Communities, the IIB and WIPO attended the meeting as observers. The Representatives of the Council of Europe sent apologies for absence. Those present at the 11th meeting are listed in Annex I to this report. 2. Working Party I adopted the provisional agenda as contained in BR/GT I/143/72; it was agreed that Articles 153 and 154 would be dealt with by the Co-ordinating Committee at its next meeting scheduled for 15 to 19 May 1972. The provisional agenda is contained in Annex II to this report. 3. The Drafting Committee of Working Party I was chaired by Mr van Benthem, President of the Octrooiraad.

The results of the Drafting Committee's work were circulated under reference BR/176/72.

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five menbers - three technically qualified members and two legally qualified members.

CNIPA asked in what form the Board of Appeal would take the decision, in the case provided for in paragraph 2, first sub-section, (b).

UNEPA wondered about the scope of the provision laid down in paragraph 2, second sub-section, (c). It was noted that in certain cases it would be possible for the proprietor of the patent to introduce an appeal because the form in which , the patent was granted had not received his approval.

Article 57 (Enlarged Board of Appeal) 49. See observations under Article 116.

Article 58 (Independence of the members of the Boards) 50. CEIF noted that the members of the Enlarged Board of Appeal and the Boards of Appeal could, in so far as they were not engaged full time as such, be given other duties within the European Patent Office, subject to the provisions of paragraph 2. In this connection it could be specified that the irremovability from office laid down in paragraph 1 only concerned their duties on the Boards.

Article 59 (Register of European Patents) 51. CEIF asked that an amendment be made to the second sentence of paragraph 1 to permit the transfer of an application to be recorded, even if the application had not yet been published.

BR/169 e/72 oyd/KM/prk

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INTER-GOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE FOR THE SETTING UP OF A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS

Brussels, 15 March 1972 BR/169/72

- Secretariat -

M I N U T E S

of the

- 5th Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Conference for the Setting up of a European System for the Grant of Patents

Part II

Hearing of the non-governmental international organisations on the Second Preliminary Draft of a Convention establishing a European System for the Grant of Patents (Luxembourg, 26 January to 1 February 1972)

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Article 59 (Register of European patents) 77. The Conference instructed Working Party I to examine the relationship between Article 59, paragraph 1, and Article 23, paragraph 2, with a view to ascertaining whether or not the present texts covered cases involving the transfer of an application, accompanied by a request for registration of the transfer, before publication of the application. In this connection Working Party I was also instructed to study whether or not Article 149, paragraph 6 , should be made nore explicit.

- Article 62 (Exchanges of information)

78. The Conference did not take up the proposal of the IAPIP (cf. BR/169/72, point 52) that the applicant should compulsorily be informed in advance of the communication of the file provided for in paragraph 2. 79. The Conference also considered the misgivings expressed by certain organisations about the possibility that confidential material might be communicated to the industrial property offices of non-contracting States. In its view, this problem could be tackled when drafting the working agreements provided for in paragraph 4, between the European Patent Office and the patent offices of noncontracting States. It saw no grounds however for inserting restrictive clauses into the Convention (cf. BR/169/72, point 53 ).

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INTER-GOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE FOR THE SETTING UP OF A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS

Brussels, 15 March 1972 BR / 168 / 72

- Secretariat -

M I N U T E S

of the 5th Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Conference for the Setting up of a European System for the Grant of Patents

Parts 1 and 3

(Luxembourg, 24-25 January and 2-4 February 1972)

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The Working Party considered it sensible, for the purposes of inspection of the files and entry in the Register, to take the point in time of the publication of the application by the International Patent Office, since once this had taken place, anyone could acquaint himself with the content of the application. To this end, the Working Party adopted a new paragraph 6 to Article 123. 116. The Working Party found that the provision Re. Article 34, No. 1 would have to be altered, not as the result of the amendments decided upon for Article 34, but for another reason. In the text as it stood, this provision covered in particular revacation proceedings and infringement proceedings. This was not intended, because a third party involved in such proceedings ought to be able to rely on the wording of the patent in the language in which it had been granted.

The Working Party therefore decided to restrict to proceedings before the European Patent Office the rule that in the event of the application being translated into an official language, the original text should be decisive for the purposes of determining the extent of the protection (paragraph 1). The remaining amendments to paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 are textual.

Article 137a - European divisional application 117. On the basis of Article 137a, paragraph 2, which provided that in the special case of a divisional application, the claims of the divisional application should not contain any subject-matter for which protection was

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114. The Working Party further made it clear in the new paragraph 5 of Article 123, that the applicant for an international patent was not only responsible for the translation of the claims from the language of the proceedings into the other two official languages (see above points 107 to 109) but also for the translation of the application itself into an official language, in the event of the application not having been published in such a language by the International Patent Office (Article 123, paragraph 3). This provision satisfies rule 49.2 of the Regulations under the PCT.

The time-limit and the penalty for its not being observed were the same as for the translation of the claims: 20 months after the date of priority (as provided for in Article 22 of the PCT) on penalty of the application being deemed to have been withdrawn. 115. The Working Party also raised the question of from what point in time the files relating to international applications could be made available for inspection without the consent of the applicant (Article 149) and from what point in time entries regarding these applications could be made in the European Patent Register (Article 59). As Article 123 stood, inspection of the files and entries in the European Patent Register would only be possible after the claims had been translated from one official language into the two other official languages and subsequent ly published (Article 123, paragraphs 2 and 4) or after the application had been translated into one official language and the claims into the two other official languages and subsequently published (Article 123, paragraphs 3 and 4); for these translations the applicant was however allowed a time-limit of 20 months from the date of priority (Article 123, new paragraph 5).

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INTER-GOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE FOR SEE SETTING UP OF A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS

Brussels, 16 December 1971 B R / 144 / 71

- Secretariat -

MINUTES

of the 10th meeting of Working Party I, held in Luxembourg from 22 to 26 November 1971

1. Working Party I held its 10th meeting in Luxembourg from 22 to 26 November 1971, with Dr. HAERTEL, President of the Deutsches Patentamt, in the Chair.

Representatives from the Commission of the European Communities, the IIB and WIPO attended the meeting as observers. The Council of Europe representatives eent their apologies for being unable to attend. For the list of those present at the 10th meeting see Annex I to these minutes. 2. Working Party I adopted the provisional agenda as contained in BR/GT I/133/71 on the understanding that item 3 would also cover the examination of a number of problems including those referred to in BR/GT I/138/71. The provisional agenda is given in Annex II to these minutes. 3. The Working Party I Drafting Committee met first under the chairmanship of Mr. van BENTHEM, President of the Octrooiraad, and, following his departure, under that of Mr. LABRY, Embassy Counsellor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (France).

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b) die Teilung einer europäischen Patentanmeldung, c) die Erteilung eines europäischen Patents, sowie bei Beschwerden gegen eine von einer aus drei Mitgliedern bestehenden Einspruchsabteilung gefaBten Entscheidung;

- aus drei rechtskundigen Mitgliedern in allen anderen Fällen.

Artikel 57

Große Beschwerdekammer (1) Die Große Beschwerdekammer ist zuständig: a) für die Entscheidungen über Rechtsfragen, die ihr von den Beschwerdekammern vorgelegt werden; b) für die Abgabe von Stellungnahmen zu Rechtsfragen, die ihr vom Präsidenten des Europäischen Patentamts vorgelegt werden. (2) Die Große Beschwerdekammer setzt sich aus sieben Mitgliedern zusammen, von denen fünf rechtskundige Mitglieder und zwei technisch vorgebildete Mitglieder sind.

Artikel 58

Unabhängigkeit der Mitglieder der Kammern (1) Die Mitglieder der Großen Beschwerdekammer und der Beschwerdekammern werden für einen Zeitraum von fünf Jahren ernannt und können während dieses Zeitraums ihrer Funktion nicht enthoben werden. (2) Die Mitglieder der Kammern dürfen weder den Prüfungsstellen noch den Prüfungsabteilungen noch den Einspruchsabteilungen angehören. (3) Die Mitglieder der Kammern sind für ihre Entscheidungen an Weisungen nicht gebunden. Sie sind nur den Vorschriften dieses Übereinkommens und den zu seiner Ausführung erlassenen Vorschriften unterworfen.

Europäisches Patentregister

(1) Das Europäische Patentamt führt ein Patentregister mit der Bezeichnung „europäisches Patentregister", in dem alle Angaben vermerkt werden, deren Eintragung in diesem Übereinkommen vorgeschrieben ist. Vor der Veröffentlichung der Patentanmeldung gemäß Artikel 85 erfolgt keine Eintragung in das Patentregister. (2) Jedermann kann in das europäische Patentregister Einsicht nehmen. Auf Antrag werden Auszüge aus dem europäischen Patentregister nach Entrichtung der in der Gebührenordnung zu diesem Übereinkommen vorgeschriebenen Gebühr erteilt. (b) the division of such an application, (c) the grant of a European patent, and in the event of an appeal against a decision taken by an Opposition Division consisting of three members;

- three legally qualified members in all other cases.

Article 57

Enlarged Board of Appeal (1) The Enlarged Board of Appeal shall be responsible for: (a) deciding points of law referred to it by Boards of Appeal and (b) giving opinions on points of law referred to it by the President of the European Patent Office. (2) The Enlarged Board of Appeal shall consist of seven members of whom five shall be legally qualified members and two technically qualified members.

Article 58

Independence of the members of the Boards (1) The members of the Enlarged Board of Appeal and of the Boards of Appeal shall be appointed for a term of five years and may not be removed from office during this term. (2) The members of the Boards may not be members of the Examining Sections, Examining Divisions, or Opposition Divisions. (3) In their decisions the members of the Boards shall not be bound by any instructions. They shall comply only with the provisions of this Convention and with those adopted in implementation thereof.

Register of European Patents

(1) The European Patent Office shall keep a register, to be known as the "Register of European Patents", which shall contain those particulars the registration of which is provided for by this Convention. No entry shall be made in the register prior to the date of publication under Article 85. (2) The Register of European Patents shall be open to public inspection. Extracts from its entries shall be delivered on request on payment of the fee prescribed by the Rules relating to Fees adopted pursuant to this Convention.

ZWEITER VORENTWURF EINES ÜBEREINKOMMENS ÜBER EIN EUROPÄISCHES PATENTERTEILUNGSVERFAHREN

SECOND PRELIMINARY DRAFT OF A CONVENTION ESTABLISHING A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS

SECOND AVANT-PROJET DE CONVENTION INSTITUANT UN SYSTÈME EUROPÉEN DE DÉLIVRANCE DE BREVETS

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REGIERUNGSKONFERENZ ÜBER DIE EINFÜHRUNG EINES EUROPÄISCHEN PATENTERTEILUNGSVERFAHREN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE FOR THE SETTING UP OF A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS CONFERENCE INTERGOUVERNEMENTALE POUR L'INSTITUTION D'UN SYSTEME EUROPEEN DE DELIVRANCE DE BREVETS

ZWEITER VORENTWURF EINES ÜBEREINKOMMENS ÜBER EIN EUROPÄISCHES PATENTERTEILUNGSVERFAHREN

sowie ERSTER VORENTWURF EINER AUSFÜHRUNGSORDNUNG ZUM ÜBEREINKOMMEN ÜBER EIN EUROPÄISCHES PATENTERTEILUNGSVERFAHREN und ERSTER VORENTWURF EINER GEBÜHRENORDNUNG

SECOND PRELIMINARY DRAFT OF A CONVENTION ESTABLISHING A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS

with FIRST PRELIMINARY DRAFT OF THE IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS TO THE CONVENTION ESTABLISHING A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS and FIRST PRELIMINARY DRAFT OF THE RULES RELATING TO FEES

SECOND AVANT-PROJET DE CONVENTION INSTITUANT UN SYSTÈME EUROPÉEN DE DÉLIVRANCE DE BREVETS ainsi que PREMIER AVANT-PROJET DE RÉGLEMENT D'EXÉCUTION DE LA CONVENTION INSTITUANT UN SYSTÈME EUROPÉEN DE DÉLIVRANCE DE BREVETS. et PREMIER AVANT-PROJET DE RÉGLEMENT RELATIF AUX TAXES

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58. Article 40 : Liability

On the proposal of the United Kingdom delegation (BR/GT I/53/70), Article 40 was amended to govern, in cases of non-contractual liability, the making good of damage caused by a liaison branch (new draft of paragraphs 2 and 4). 59. Articles 54 and 55 : Examining Sections and Divisions

The note was deleted in view of the provisions of Article 35a, paragraph 1, sub-paragraph D, in BR/70/70. 60. Article 59 : Register of European Patents

The note to Chapter IV was deleted in view of the provisions adopted by the "Implementing Regulations" SubCommittee (Re. Article 1, No. 1, BR/42/70). 61. Article 64 : Filing of the application

The Working Party discussed a proposal of the French delegation to amend Article 64 so that, for those Contracting States which so desire, legislative or regulatory provisions prohibiting nationals of such States from disclosing abroad any invention concerning national defence shall be fully respected, even if the applicant has his ordinary residence or his registered place of business in another State. Article 64(3) in its present form would not allow such provisions to be respected in every case, as it only concerns persons ordinarily resident in the territory of the State in question.

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INTER-GOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE FOR THE SETTING UP OF A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS

Brussels, 28 February 1971 B R / 87 / 71

- Secretariat -

MINUTES

of the meeting of Working Party I held at Luxembourg from 30 November to 2 December 1970 and of the meeting held on 3 December 1970 by that Working Party, acting in its capacity as Co-ordinating Committee Item 1 on the agenda (1) : Opening of the meeting and adoption of the provisional agenda

1. The Working Party held its sixth meeting at Luxembourg from Monday, 30 November to Wednesday, 2 December 1970, with Dr. HAERTEL, President of the Germar Patent Office, in the Chair.

Representatives of the Commission of the European Communities, WIPO-BIRPI and the Intérnational Patent Institute took part in the meeting (2). The representative of the General Secretariat of the Council of Europe sent his apologies for being unable to attend. 2. The Drafting Committee, under the chairmanship of the President of the Netherlands Octrooiraad (Patent Office), Mr. J. B. van BENTHEM, held its meetings directly after the deliberations of the Working Party. (1) For the provisional agenda (BR/GT I/62/70), see Annex I. (2) For the list of participants, see Annex II.

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in dem alle Angaben vermerkt werden, deren Eintragung in diesem Übereinkommen vorgeschrieben ist. Vor der Veröffentlichung der Patentanmeldung gemäß Artikel 85 erfolgt keine Eintragung in das Patentregister. (2) Jedermann kann in das europäische Patentregister Einsicht nehmen. Auf Antrag werden Auszüge aus dem europäischen Patentregister nach Entrichtung der in der Gebührenordnung zu diesem Übereinkommen vorgeschriebenen Gebühr erteilt.

Artikel 60 (früher Artikel 61)

Veröffentlichungen des Europäischen Patentamts Das Europäische Patentamt gibt neben den in den Artikeln 85 und 107 vorgesehenen Veröffentlichungen regelmäßig heraus: a) ein Europäisches Patentblatt, das die Eintragungen in das europäische Patentregister wiedergibt sowie sonstige Angaben enthält, deren Veröffentlichung in diesem Übereinkommen vorgeschrieben ist; b) ein Amtsblatt des Europäischen Patentamts, das Igemeine Bekanntmachungen und Mitteilungen des Präsidenten des Europäischen Patentamts sowie sonstige dieses Übereinkommen und seine Anwendung betreffenden Veröffentlichungen enthält.

KAPITEL V

Beziehungen zu den nationalen Behörden Artikel 61 (früher Artikel 63) Austausch von Veröffentlichungen (1) Das Europäische Patentamt übermittelt den Zentralbehörden für den gewerblichen Rechtsschutz der Vertragsstaaten auf deren Wunsch kostenlos für ihre eigenen Zwecke ein oder mehrere Exemplare der in den Artikeln 60, 85 und 107 vorgesehenen Veröffentlichungen. (2) Die Zentralbehörden für den gewerblichen Rechtsschutz der Vertragsstaaten übermitteln dem Europäi· chen Patentamt auf dessen Wunsch kostenlos für seine eigenen Zwecke ein oder mehrere Exemplare der veröffentlichten nationalen Patentanmeldungen und der Patentschriften sowie der Veröffentlichungen, die den in Artikel 60 Buchstaben a und b aufgeführten Veröffentlichungen des Europäischen Patentamts entsprechen. (3) Das Europäische Patentamt kann mit den Zentralbehörden für den gewerblichen Rechtsschutz und mit anderen Behörden jedes Staats sowie mit zwischenstaatlichen Einrichtungen Vereinbarungen über den Austausch von Veröffentlichungen treffen.

Artikel 62 (früher Artikel 64)

Auskunftsersuchen (1) Soweit nicht Vorschriften dieses Übereinkommens oder des nationalen Rechts entgegenstehen, unterstützen sich das Europäische Patentamt und die Gerichte which shall contain those particulars the registration of which is provided for by this Convention. No entry shall be made in the register prior to the date of publication under Article 85. (2) The Register of European Patents shall be open to public inspection. Extracts from its entries shall be delivered on request on payment of the fee prescribed by the Rules relating to fees adopted pursuant to this Convention.

Article 60 (former Article 61)

Publications of the European Patent Office In addition to the requirements as to publication contained in Articles 85 and 107, the European Patent Office shall periodically publish: (a) a European Patent Bulletin containing entries made in the Register of European Patents, as well as all other particulars, the publication of which is prescribed by this Convention. (b) an Official Journal of the European Patent Office, containing notices and information of a general character issued by the President of the European Patent Office, as well as any other information relevant to this Convention or its implementation.

CHAPTER V

Relations with national authorities Article 61 (former Article 63) Exchange of publications (1) The European Patent Office shall despatch free of charge to the central industrial property offices of the Contracting States, at their request and for their own use, one or more copies of the publications referred to in Articles 60, 85 and 107. (2) The central industrial property offices of the Contracting States shall despatch free of charge to the European Patent Office, at the latter's request and for its own use, one or more copies of the published applications for and printed specifications of national patents, as well as of publications analogous to those of the European Patent Office referred to in Article 60 (a) and (b). (3) The European Patent Office may conclude agreements relating to the exchange of publications with the central industrial property offices or other authorities of any State, or with international bodies.

Article 62 (former Article 64)

Requests for information (1) Unless otherwise provided in this Convention or in national laws, the European Patent Office and the Courts or administrations of Contracting States shall

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b) wenn sie der Meinung sind, daß die Art der Entscheidung es erfordert;

- aus zwei technisch vorgebildeten Mitgliedern und einem rechtskundigen Mitglied mit Unterstützung eines technisch vorgebildeten Mitglieds als Berichterstatter, das nicht an der Entscheidung teilnimmt, bei Beschwerden gegen eine von einer Prüfungsstelle oder von einer aus drei Mitgliedern bestehenden Prüfungsabteilung gefaBten Entscheidung über a) die Zurückweisung einer europäischen Patentanmeldung. b) die Teilung einer solchen Anmeldung. c) die Erteilung eines europäischen Patents; - aus drei rechtskundigen Mitgliedern in allen anderen Fällen.

Artikel 57 (früher Artikel 58a)

Große Beschwerdekammer (1) Die Große Beschwerdekammer ist zuständig: a) für die Entscheidungen über Rechtsfragen, die ihr von den Beschwerdekammern vorgelgt werden; b) für die Abgabe von Stellungnahmen zu Rechtsfragen, die ihr vom Präsidenten des Europäischen Patentamts vorgelegt werden. (2) Die Große Beschwerdekammer setzt sich aus sieben Mitgliedern zusammen, von denen fünf rechtskundige Mitglieder und zwei technisch vorgebildete Mitglieder sind.

Artikel 58 (früher Artikel 58b)

Unabhängig der Mitglieder der Kammern (1) Die Mitglieder der Großen Beschwerdekammer und der Beschwerdekammern werden für einen Zeitraum von fünf Jahren ernannt und können während dieses Zeitraums ihrer Funktion nicht enthoben werden. (2) Die Mitglieder der Kammern dürfen den Prüfungsstellen oder Prüfungsabteilungen nicht angehören. (3) Die Mitglieder der Kammern sind für ihre Entscheidungen an Weisungen nicht gebunden. Sie sind nur den Vorschriften dieses Übereinkommens und den zu seiner Ausführung erlassenen Vorschriften unterworfen.

KAPITEL IV

Register und Veröffentlichungen ( ^1 ) Artikel 59 (früher Artikel 60) Europäisches Patentregister (1) Das Europäische Patentamt führt ein Patentregister mit der Bezeichnung „europäisches Patentregister", (1) Frühere Vorentwürfe enthielten in diesem Kapitel eine Bestimmung über die vom Europäischen Patentamt benutzte Patentklassifikation. Eine derartige Bestimmung wird in die Ausführungsordnung aufgenommen werden. (b) when it considers that the nature of the decision so requires;

- two technically qualified members and one legally qualified member, assisted by a technically qualified member who shall act as rapporteur but shall not take part in the decision, when the appeal is from a decision of an Examining Section or of an Examining Division consisting of three members, concerning: (a) the refusal of a European patent application, (b) the division of such an application, (c) the grant of a European patent; - three legally qualified members in all other cases.

Article 57 (former Article 58a)

Enlarged Board of Appeal (1) The Enlarged Board of Appeal shall be responsible for: (a) deciding points of law referred to it by Boards of Appeal and (b) giving opinions on points of law referred to it by the President of the European Patent Office. (2) The Enlarged Board of Appeal shall consist of seven members, of whom five shall be legally qualified members and two technically qualified members.

Article 58 (former Article 58b)

Independence of the members of the Boards (1) The members of the Enlarged Board of Appeal and of the Boards of Appeal shall be appointed for a term of five years and may not be removed from office during this term. (2) The members of the Boards may not be members of the Examining Sections or Examining Divisions. (3) In their decisions the members of the Boards shall not be bound by any instructions. They shall comply only with the provisions of this Convention and with those adopted in implementation thereof.

CHAPTER IV

Register and publications ( ^1 ) Article 59 (former Article 60) Register of European Patents (1) The European Patent Office shall keep a register, to be known as the "Register of European Patents", (1) Former Drafts for this Chapter contained a provision for the classification of patents to be adopted by the European Patent Office. Such a provision will be included in the Implementing Regulations.

Page 33

REGIERUNGSKONFERENZ ÜBER DIE EINFÜHRUNG EINES EUROPÄISCHEN PATENTERTEILUNGSVERFAHRENS

INTER-GOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE FOR THE SETTING UP OF A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS

CONFÉRENCE INTERGOUVERNEMENTALE POUR L'INSTITUTION D'UN SYSTEME EUROPÉEN DE DÉLIVRANCE DE BREVETS

ERSTER VORENTWURF EINES ÜBEREINKOMMENS ÜBER EIN EUROPÄISCHES PATENTERTEILUNGSVERFAHREN

FIRST PRELIMINARY DRAFT OF A CONVENTION ESTABLISHING A EUROPEAN SYSTEM FOR THE GRANT OF PATENTS

PREMIER AVANT-PROJET DE CONVENTION INSTITUANT UN SYSTÈME EUROPÉEN DE DÉLIVRANCE DE BREVETS

Page 34

However, the Working Party considered that this provision should form part of the Convention, as it was a substantial provision fixing the conditions for the grant of patents.

For the drafting of paragraph 2, it based itself on rule No. 39 of the PCT plan.

The Working Party points out that the text of paragraph 2 does not prejudice the question of whether computer programmes may be the subject of a European patent.

Article 10 - Exceptions to patentability 23. The Working Party points out that this Article corresponds to Article 2 of the 1963 Strasbourg Convention.

Article 11 - Novelty 24. Paragraphs 1 and 2 correspond to paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 4 of the 1963 Strasbourg Convention. 25. As regards paragraph 3, the Working Party was faced with two possible solutions to the problem of knowing what effects the existence of an application for a European patent has on a later application designating the same Contracting States.

Article 8 a) - Special agreements

20. The Working Party noted that under the terms of the provision adopted by it, it is not possible to designate in an application some only of the Contracting States which are parties to a special agreement if that agreement establishes a unitary patent.

Article 9 - Patentable inventions

21. The Working Party incorporated the contents of Article 1 of the 1963 Strasbourg Convention into the provision of Article 9, paragraph 1. 22. As regards paragraph 2, the British and Swedish delegations wondered whether this provision could not be omitted from the Convention, so as to allow greater flexibility in the development of the rules applicable in the matter of patentable inventions. It could in this case be transferred to the Implementing Regulations.

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INTER-GOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE FOR THE SETTING UP OF A EUROPEAN SYSTEM

Brussels, 29 July 1969 BR/7/69

- Secretariat -

M I N U T E S

of the meeting of Working Party I (Luxembourg, 8 - 11 July 1969)

I

1. The first working meeting of Working Party I, set up by the Conference, was held at Luxembourg from Tuesday 8 to Friday 11 July 1969.

In accordance with the decision taken by the Working Party at its inaugural meeting held at Brussels on 21 May 1969, the Chair was taken by Dr. HAERTEL, President of the German Patent Office.

In addition to the Commission of the European Communities, the following inter-governmental organisations, which had been invited to take part in the work of the Working Party, were represented: BIRPI, the General Secretariat of the Council of Europe and the International Patent Institute (1). (1) See annexed list of participants in the meeting of the Working Party.

CHAPITR IV

REGISTRE, PUBLICATIONS, CLASSIFICATION

Article 60

Registre européen des brevets (1) L'Office européen des brevets tient un registre, dénommé "registre européen des brevets", où sont portées les indications dont l'enregistrement est prévu par la présente convention. (2) ^+Le registre européen des brevets est ouvert à la consultation publique. Des extraits en sont délivrés sur requête moyennant le paiement de la taxe prescrite par le règlement relatif aux taxes pris en exécution de la présente convention.

Confidentiel

Modifícations de l'avant-projet de Convention relatif a un droit européen des brevets (articls 1 a 175)

Ce document remplace le document 11.155/IV/64-F du 2 octobre 1964 (articles 1 a 103)

Page 39

Article 60 (59) est adopté.

Article 61 (60)

Le groupe déciže de supprimer les deux remarques au bas de l'article, étant donné que ce problème doit être réglé par le règlement d'exécution.

Article 62 (211) est adopté.

Article 63 (193) est adopté.

Article 64 (192)

Le Président indique que les règles contenues dans cet article et surtout dans le paragraphe 3 ont un rep port avec le projet de Vienne. Elles vont au-delà de ce qui est prévu au projet de Vienne dans ce sens que l'échange d'informations entre les offices est prévu sans qu'il y ait accord du demandeur intéressé. Cependant ces règles ne s'opposent pas au projet de Vienne. Elles s'expliquent par le fait que les Etats contractants de la Convention européenne sont liés plus étroitement. De plus, il s'agit des informations concernant des demandes de brevetsexistant sur les mêmes territoires.

La question de savoir si le projet de Vienne garde son intérêt et s'il faut l'adapter aux dispositions de la Convention européenne ne peut pas être résolue actuellement. Le Président pense que même les autres Etats siégeant à Strasbourg ne peuvent prendre position à l'égard de ce projet qu'après la publication du projet européen.

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GROUPE DE TRAVAIL " Brevets "

Bruxelles, le 31 juillet 1962 Confidentiel

Résultats de la sixième session du groupe de travail " Brevets " qui s'est tenue à Munich du 13 au 23 juin 1962

Article 60 (59)

Registre européen des brevets (1) L'Office curopéen des brevets tient un registre, dénommé "Registre européen des brevets", où sont portées les indications dont l'enregistrement est prévu par la présente Convention ou son Règlement d'exécution. (2) Le Registre européen des brevets est ouvert à la consultation publique. Des extraits en sont délivrés sur requête moyennant le paiement de la taxe prescrite par le Règlement relaitf aux taxes pris en exécution de la présente Convention.

AVANT-PROJET DE CONVENTION
RELATIF A
UN DROIT EUROPEEN DES BREVETS

=V E Man 1962

Page 43

semblent être utiles on vue de l'intérêt du public. Une telle disposition Cevrait cependant figurer dans le Règlement d'exécution. En ce qui concerne l'effet juridique de l'inscription au Registre européen, M.M. Fressonnet et Rosciuni font remarquer que solon leurs législations nationales, la cession ou l'octroi d'une licence sont valables seulement entre les parties contractantes tant qu'elles ne sont pas inscrites au registro. Ce n'est qu'a ce moment qu'elles produisent un offct "erga omnes". Le groupe estime qu'une telle solution devrait être retenuo pour la Convention européenne. Toutefois, elle ne devrait pas figurer à l'article 59 mais plutôt dans les articles concernant la cession et l'octroi des licences.

Muni de ces remarques, l'article 59 est transmis au Comité de rédaction.

Discussion de l'article 60 de l'avant-projet.

Après une discussion prolongée, le groupe décide en ce qui concerne le littera a) de l'article 60, que le Comité de rédaction tranchera la question de savoir si cette disposition sera retenue ou non et, dans l'hypothèse où elle le serait, de la rendre plus concise. En effet, cette disposition fait double emploi avec les articles 77 et 90 b).

Le Président avait repris ce littera dans son avant-projet dans le seul souci d'énoncer en: un seul article toutes les publications que l'Office européen est habilité a effectuer.

En outre, le groupe décide de ne pas fusionner les journaux prévus au littera b) et c). En effet, ceux-ci s'adressent a des milieux tout différents. De plus, le coût de l'abonnement au Journal européen des brevets sera beaucoup plus élevé que celui du Journal officiel de l'Office européen des brevets. L'abonnement au premier journal ne sera souscrit que par los industriels qui désirent être tenus au courant de la délivrance des brevets.

de la séance du 15 janvier 1962.

Le Président ouvre la séance à 15.15 heures et souhaite la bienvenue à Monsieur le Professeur Roscioni.

Les comptos rendus des 9 et 10 janvier sont approuvés par le groupe.

Discussion de l'article 55 de l'avant-projot.

Tenant compte, d'une part, du fait que la semaine dernière le groupe décidait de supprimer la procédure de communication des dossiers et, d'autre part, des suggestions de MM. van Benthem et Degavre, le groupe souhaite modifier le paragraphe 1 de façon à préciser que les divisions administratives sont autorisées à régler uniquement les affaires relevant de la compétence de l'Office européen qui ne sont pas attribuées à d'autres services. En outre, au paragraphe 2; la mention "de personnes ayant reçu une formation technique" peut-être rayée. Enfin au paragraphe 3, le membre de phrase commençant par "pour autant qu'il ne soit..." sera mis entre parenthèses pour marquer qu'on n'a pas encore tranché la question de savoir si des cas se présenteront dans lesquels trois juristes devront décider.

L'article 55 est transmis au Comité de rédaction.

Discussion de l'article 59 de l'avant-projet.

Faisant suite à une proposition néorlandaise, le groupe décide de prévoir une disposition donnant au Président de l'Office européen.le pouvoir de faire inscrire dans. le registro européen dos brevets, outre les renseignements mentionnés à l'article 59 des indications qui lui

GRONPE DE TRAVAIL

" Brevets "

Deuxième Partie : COMPTES RENDUS

Avant-projet de convention relatif à un droit européen des brevets

Page 46

GROUPE DE TRAVAIL

" Brevets "

Bruxelles, le 1 février 1962

Confidentiel

Résultats de la quatrième session du groupe de travail "Brevets" qui s'est tenue à Bruxelles du 8 au 19 janvier 1962

IV/215/62-F

Page 47

au sujet des demandes de communication des dossiers.

Ad article 59. Registre européen des brevets.

1.) Documents. -.- 2.) Remarques.

Toutes les lois nationales sur les brevets ou leurs règlements d'exécution contiennent des dispositions concernant un registre des brevets.

En conséquence, l'article 59, § 1, stipule que l'Office européen des brevets tient un registre des brevets et précise la dénomination officielle de ce registre.

Au § 2, il est tout d'abord indiqué sous une forme générale que sont transcrits sur le registre européen des brevets tous les renseignements dont l'enregistrement est prescrit soit par la convention elle-même, soit par le règlement d'exécution.

On:peut réserver pour le moment de la rédaction finale de choisir entre le maintien de cette formule générale ou le regroupement à l'article 59 sous forme d'une énumération de toutes les dispositions de la convention ou de son règlement d'exécution qui prescrivent un enregjztrement dans le registre européen des brevets.

Il est précisé au § 3 que le registre européen des brevets est un registre public qui peut être consulté par tout requérant et dont des extraits peuvent être délivrés à tout requérant par l'Office européen des brevets.

Les détails concernant la forme et la tenue du registre européen des brevets seront précisés par le règlement d'exécution.

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Articles divers (Articles 50, 55, 59, 60, 75 a, 75  b, 88 a et 90 a quater)

Remarques préliminaires.

Les articles réunis dans ce document de travail font partie soit de la troisième section : "L'Office européen des brevets" (articles 41 à 60 ), soit de la quatrième section : "La procédure de délivrance des brévets" (articles 61 à 90 g ). Ils complètent ces sections et traitent de problèmes qui ont été déjà abordés au cours des séances antérieures du groupe de travail ou qui se sont posés au cours de la préparation de la neuvième section "Dispositions communes concernant la procédure devant l'Office européen des brevets" contenue dans un autre document de travail.

Ad article 50 . Organisation de l'Office européen des brevets.

1. Documents : -.- 2.) Remarques.

Tant au cours de sa deuxième que de sa troisième session, le groupe de travail a examiné l'article 50 qui doit contenir la liste définitive des organes de décision de l'Office européen des brevets. Il est maintenant proposé d'y ajouter un nouvel organe : les divisions administratives des brevets mentionnées au point 3.

Les raisons pour lesquelles il convient d'instituer des divisions administratives des brevets au sein de l'Office européen des brevets et leur compétence sont indiquées à l'article 55 ainsi que dans les remarques relatives à cet article.

Page 49

Kurt Haertel IV/8221/61-F.

Bonn, le 15 novembre 1961. Confidentiel.

Remarques concernant le premier avant-projet de convention relatif à un droit européen des brevets. (Articles 50, 55, 59, 60, 75a, 75b, 88 et 90a quater)

Page 50

(2) Sont également portés dans le registre européen des brevets tous les renseignements dont l'enregistrement est prescrit par les dispositions de la présente convention ou par celles arrêtées en vue de son application. (3) Le registre européen des brevets peut être consulté par tout requérant. Sur demande, l'Office européen des brevets délivre des extraits du registre européen des brevets.

Article 60 . Publications de l'Office européen des brevets. L'Office européen des brevets : a) délivre; conformément aux articles 77 et 90 b , des expéditions des brevets européens provisoires et des brevets européens définitifs; b) publie régulièrement un journal des brevets (Journal européen des brevets) qui contient les inscriptions portées dans le registre européen des brevets, ainsi que toutes les autres informations relatives au brevet européen prescrites par les dispositions de la présente convention ou par celles arrêtées en vue de son application; c) publie régulièrement un journal officiel (Journal officiel de l'Office européen des brevets) qui contient les informations et les communications d'ordre général du président de l'Office européen des brevets, ainsi que toutes les autres publications concernant le droit européen des brevets.

Article 75 a Audition du demandeur par la section d'examen. Au cours de la procédure devant la section d'examen, le demandeur ou tout autre intéressé est entendu d'office ou sur requête lorsque la dite section d'examen le juge utile.

Page 51

Article 55

Divisions administratives des brevets. (1) Après la publication de la délivrance du brevet européen provisoire, les divisions administratives des brevets sont compétentes pour toutes les affaires qui concernent le brevet européen délivré, pour autant que celles-ci ne soient pas déjà du ressort d'autres services de l'Office européen des brevets. (2) Les divisions administratives des brevets se composent de juristes et de personnes ayant reçu une formation technique. (3) Les décisions de chaque division administrative des brevets sont prises par un membre juriste, pour autant qu'il ne soit pas prescrit par les dispositions de la présente convention ou par celles arrêtées en vue de son application que ces décisions seront prises par trois membres. (4) Les membres des divisions administratives des brevets ne doivent faire partie ni des chambres de recours ni des chambres des annulations.

Remarque. A l'article 91, il convient d'ajouter les divisions administratives des brevets à l'endroit laissé en blanc à cet effet.

Article 59 . Registre européen des brevets. (1) L'office européen des brevets tient un registre des brevets (registre européen des brevets) où sont inscrits les brevets européens provisoires et les brevets européens définitifs.

Page 52

Kurt Haertel IV/8221/61-F. Orig. : A.

CONFIDENTIEL.

Premier avant-projet de convention relatif à un droit européen des brevets.

Articles divers. (Articles 50, 55, 59, 60 75 a, 75 b, 88 a et 90 a quater)

KIPITSL IV

2.10.1964

RECISTIR, VIRÖFFENTLICHUNGIN UND KLSSIFIKATION

Artikel 60

Europaeisches Patentregister (1) Das Europaeische Patentamt fuehrt ein Patentregister mit der Bezeichnung "europaeisches Patentregister", in dem alle Angaben vermerkt werden, deren Eintragung in diesem Abkommen vorgeschrieben ist. (2) ^+Jedermann kann in das europaeische Patentregister Einsicht nehmen. Auf Antrag werden Auszuege aus dem europaeischen Patentregister nach Entrichtung der in der Gebuehrenordnung zu diesem Abkommen vorgeschriebenen Gebuehr erteilt.

Page 54

Arbeitsgruppe "Patente"

Brüssel, den 22. Januar 1965 2335 / I V / 65-D

Vertraulich

Inderungen des Vorentwurfs eines Abkommens über ein europäisches Patentrecht

(Artikel 1 bis 175)

Dieses Arbeitsdokument ersetzt das Arbeitsdokument 11.155/IV/64-D vom 2. Oktober 1964 (Artikel 1 bis 103).

Page 55

Artikel 60 (59) Der Artikel wurde angenommen.

Artikel 61 (60) Die Gruppe beschloß, die beiden Bemerkungen am ünde des Artikels zu streichen, da diese Frage in der Ausführungsverordnung geregelt werden soll.

Artikel 62 (211) Der Artikel wurde angenommen.

Artikel 63 (193) Der Artikel wurde ebenfalls angenommen.

Artikel 64 (192) Der Vorsitzende wies darauf hin, daß der Inhalt dieses Artikels, insbesondere dessen Absatz 3, mit dem Wiener Entwurf im Zusammenhang stehe. Er gehe insofern über den Wiener Entwurf hinaus, als er die gegenseitige Unterrichtung der äter ohne Zustimmung des Antragstellers vorsehe. Trotzdem stehe diese Bestimmung nicht im Widerspruch zum Wiener Entwurf. Sie erkläre sich vielmehr daraus, daß die vertragschlieBenden Staaten des Europäischen Abkommens enger miteinander verbunden seien. Außerdem handele es sich um Auskünfte über Patentanmeldungen, welche dieselben Hoheitsgebicte betreffen.

Die Frage, ob der Wiener Entwurf weiterhin von Interesse sei und ob man ihn den Bestimmungen des Europäischen Abkommens anpassen solle; könne zur Zeit nicht entschieden werden. Der Vorsitzende war der Ansicht, daß auch die anderen in Straßburg tagenden Staaten erst nach Veröffentlichung des europäischen Entwurfs hierzu Stellung nehmen könnten.

Page 56

ARBEITSGRUPPE " Patente "

Brüssel, den 31. Juli 1962 Vertraulich

Ergebnisse der sechsten Sitzung der Arbeitsgruppe "Patente" vom 13. bis 23. Juni 1962 in M3nchen

Kapitel IV

Register, Veröffentlichungen und Klassifikation

Artikel 60 (59) Europäisches Patentregister (1) Das Europäische Patentamt führt ein Patentregister mit der Bezeichnung "Europäisches Patentregister", in dem alle Angaben vermerkt werden, deren Eintragung in diesem Abkommen oder in der Ausführungsordnung zu diesem Abkommen vorgeschrieben ist. (2) Jedermann kann in das Europäische Patentregister Einsicht nehmen. Auf Antrag werden Auszüge aus dem Europäischen Patentregister nach Entrichtung der in der Gebührenordnung zu diesem Abkommen vorgeschriebenen Gebühr erteilt.

Page 58

Arbeitsgruppe "Patente" Brüssel, den 26. Mai 1962 Redaktionsausschuss

STRENG VERTRAULICH

Vor e h t w u ṙ f eines Abkommens über ein europäisches Patentrecht

Page 59

öffentliche Intorosso nützlich orschoinon. Bino solcho Bestimmung müsse indossen in dio Ausführungsvorordnung aufgonommon wordon. Hinsichtlich dor rochtlichen Wirkung dor Eintragung in das Europäische Patontrogistor woison Horr Frossonnot und Horr Roscioni darauf hin, daB dio Abtrotung odor dio Ertoilung oinor Lizonz, solango sio nicht im Rogistor oingotragon sind, nach ibron nationalon Rochtsvorschrifton nur zwischon don Vortragspartoion wirksam sind. Erst mit dor Eintragung orlangtón sio oino Wirkung "orga omnos". Dio Gruppo bofürwortot oino solcho Lösung für das Europäische Abkommon. Dioso Rogolung sollo jedoch nicht in Artikel 59, sondorn in don Artikoln über dio Abtrotung und dio Ertoilung von Lizonzon fostgohalton wordon.

Mit dioson Bomerkungen wird artikol 59 an don RodaktionsausschuB überwioson.

Erörtorungon zu Artikol 60 dos Vorontwurfs

Nach oinor ausgodehnten Erörtorung boschlioBt dio Gruppo zu artikol 60 Buchstabe a), daB dor RodaktionsausschuB dio Frago kläron soll, ob dioso Bestimmung boibohalton wordon soll odor nicht, und sio für don Fall dor Boibohaltung kürzor zu fassen. Dioso Bestimmung onthalto nämlich überflüssigo Wiederholungon zu Artikol 77 und 90 b).

Dor Prăsidont hatto dioson Buchstaben nur doswogon in soinom Vorontwurf aufgenommen, um allo Voroffontlichungon dos Europäischon Patontamtos in oinom oinzigon artikol zusammenzufasson.

Dio Gruppo boschlioBt auBordom, dio untor don Buchstaben b) und c) vorgosohonon Blättor nicht zusammenzulogon. Dioso würden sich nämlich an völlig vorschiodeno Kroiso wondon. Ubordios soi oin Abonnomont für das Europäische Patontblatt viol touror als oin abonnomont für das amtsblatt dos Europäischon Patontamtos. Das orsto Blatt wordo nur von don Gowerbotroibondon abonniort, dio sich laufond über dio Patontortoilungon untorrichton wollten.

Sitzungsporiodé vom 8. bis 19. Januar 1962

Boricht über die Sitzung vom 15. Januar 1962

Der Prăsidont oröffnot dio Sitzung um 15.15 Uhr und hoibt Horrn Profossor Roscioni willkommon.

Die Borichto vom 9. und 10. Januar worden von dor Gruppo angenommen.

Erörtorungon zu Artikol 55 dos Vorontwurfs

Mit Rücksicht darauf, daß dio Gruppo in dor vorgangonon Wocho beschlosson hat, das Vorfahron über dio Aktonoinsicht wogfallon zu lasson, und mit Rücksicht auf dio Anrogungon von Horrn van Bonthom und Horrn Dogavre will die Gruppe den Absatz 1 in der Weise ändern, daß die Verwaltungsabteilungen lediglich für die Angelegenheiten des Europäischen Patentamtes zuständig sind, dio nicht zum Zuständigkoitsbereich anderer Dienststellen gohöron. Übordios könnten in Absatz 2 dio Worto "Personon mit oinor Fachausbildung" gostrichon wordon. Schließlich soll in Absatz 3 dor mit "pour autant qu'il no soit ..." boginnondo Satztoil in Klammorn gosotzt wordon, um doutlich zu machon, daß dio Frago, ob in bostimmton Fällon droi Juriston ontschoiden sollon, noch nicht goklärt soi.

Artikol 55 wird an don Rodaktionsausschuß überwioson.

Erörtorungon zu Artikol 59 dos Vorontwurfs

Auf oinon niodorländischen Vorschlag boschlioßt dio Gruppo, oino Bestimmung vorzusehen, wonach dor Prăsidont dos Europäischon Patentamtes bofugt ist, in das Europäischo Patentrogistor außer don in Artikol 59 orwähnton Angaben woitoro Angaben ointragon zu lasson, dio ihm im Hinblick auf das

Zweiter Teil : SITZUNGSDEIRICHTE

Arbeitsentwurf eines Abkommens über ein europäisches Patentrecht

Page 62

ARBEITSGRUPPE " Patente "

Brüssel, den 1. Februar 1962 VERTRAULICH

Ergebnisse der vierten Sitzung der Arbeitsgruppe "Patente" vom 8. bis 19. Januar 1962 in Brüssel

2.) Bemerkungen:

Bestimmungen über ein Patentregister finden sich in allen nationalen Patentgesetzen oder in Durchführungsverordnungen zu diesen Gesetzen.

Demgemäß bestimmt Artikel 59 in seinem Absatz 1, daß beim Europäischen Patentamt ein Patentregister geführt wird und wie dessen offizielle Bezeichnung lautet.

In Absatz. 2 ist zunächst in allgemeiner Form zum Ausdruck gebracht, daß im Europäischen Patentregister alle Angaben vermerkt werden, deren Eintragung in dem Abkommen selbst oder in der Ausführungsordnung dazu vorgeschrieben ist. Es kann der Schlußredaktion überlassen bleiben, entweder diese allgemeine Formulierung beizubehalten oder aber alle einzelnen Bestimmungen dieses Abkommens oder der Ausführungsordnung, die eine Eintragung im Europäischen Patentregister vorschreiben, in Form eines Katalogs in Artikel 59 zusammenzufassen.

Absatz 3 bestimmt, daß das Europäische Patentregister ein öffentliches Register ist, in das jedermann Einsicht nehmen kann und aus dem für jedermann. durch das Europäische Patentamt Auszüge hergestellt werden.

Die Einzelheiten über die Gestaltung und die Führung des Europäischen Patentregisters sollen in der Ausführungsordnung geregelt werden.

Verschiedene Artikel

(Artikel 50, 55, 59, 60, 75 a, 75  b, 88 a und 90 a ^quater)

Vorbemerkung

Die in diesem Arbeitsdokument zusammengefaBten Artikel gehören teilweise in den 3. Abschnitt "Das Europäische Patentamt" (Artikel 41 bis 60), teilweise in den 4. Abschnitt "Das Patenterteilungsverfahren" (Artikel 61 bis 90g). Sie dienen der Ergänzung dieser Abschnitte und behandeln Fragen, die entweder in den bisherigen Sitzungen der Arbeitsgruppe bereits angeschnitten worden sind oder sich bei der Vorbereitung des in einem weiteren Arbeitsdokument enthaltenen 9. Abschnitts "Gemeinsame Vorschriften für das Verfahren vor dem Europäischen Patentamt" ergeben haben.

Vertraulich

B e m e rkung e n zu dem ersten Arbeitsentwurf eines Abkommens über ein europäisches Patentrecht (Artikel 50, 55, 59, 60, 75a, 75 b, 88 a und 90a quater)

Artikel 59

Europäisches Patentregister (1) Das Europäische Patentamt führt ein Patentregister (Europäisches Patentregister), in das die vorläufigen und die endgültigen europäischen Patente eingetragen werden. (2) Im Europäischen Patentregister werden ferner alle Angaben vermerkt, deren Eintragung in diesem Abkommen oder in der Ausführungsordnung zu diesem Abkommen vorgeschrieben ist. (3) Jedermann kann in das Europäische Patentregister Einsicht nehmen. Das Europäische Patentamt erteilt auf Antrag Auszüge aus dem Europäischen Patentregister.

VERTRAULICH

Erster Arbeitsentwurf
eines Abkommens
über ein europäisches Patentrecht

Verschiedene Artikel (Artikel 50, 55, 59, 60, 75 a, 75 b, 88 a und 90 a quater)

Page 68

that Article 156, paragraph 3, was to be interpreted as an authorisation for the Administrative Council to provide for the levy of a search fee for each and every international patent application, irrespective of whether additional searches within the meaning of this provision should be carried out in the individual cases.

11. Information to the public of official authorities, legal and administrative co-operation (Articles 127-132, Rules 93-100)

Only a few amendments were made to these provisions. The inspection of files under Article 128 was supplemented so as to provide more precise information for the general public; thus, before the publication of the European patent application, not only the date of filing may be made known to third parties, but also the date, State and file number of any application of which the priority is claimed. The provisions of Articles 130/132 were drafted more generally so that the European Patent Office could make agreements concerning exchanges of information and exchanges of publications not only with States which were not a party to the Convention and with international patent granting authorities, such as WIPO, but also with any other organisations, especially documentation centres such as INPADOC. It was also specified at the same time that the substantive content of applications which had not yet been published could not be the subject of such exchanges of information. In addition, the Administrative Council was authorised in Article 130, paragraph 3, to make provisions in respect of exchanges of information with the last-named organisations which derogated from the restrictions on the inspection of files, in so far as the confidential treatment of the information was guaranteed.

While dealing with the provisions of Article 131, the Main Committee discussed a proposal which, in the light of the procedure laid down in the Protocol on Recognition, aimed to supplement the prescribed legal co-operation between the European Patent Office and the Contracting States by an obligation for the Contracting States to provide legal assistance amongst themselves. This interesting idea was rejected generally because the proposed extension was considered to be an intrusion into international legal aid between Contracting States and also an obligation which far exceeded the purpose of the Convention. A further idea to allow the European Patent Office to intervene as an international notification authority in certain proceedings concerning European patents, also found little approval.

12. Representation (Articles 133-134, 162/Rules 101-103, 107)

The provisions of the Convention and the Implementing Regulations concerning representation before the European Patent Office were already discussed with the organisations concerned during the earlier stages of the negotiations and were, as far as possible adapted to their proposals and wishes. Fortunately this situation meant that the principles established by the Inter-Governmental Conference were no longer questioned as to their substance. In particular, the principle that during a transitional period the representatives' status would basically be controlled by the national law of Contracting States and afterwards by European law, remained uncontested. The general principles concerning representation in Article 133 were also unchanged. The Main Committee generally considered that these principles should also be valid for the transitional period. The Committee also specified that legal persons could be represented not only by their employees - as laid down in paragraph 3 of Article 133 - but also by their departments. Such representation by their departments is regarded as a matter of course, is understood from paragraph 1 of Article 133 and does not need to be expressly laid down.

However, material for discussion was provided by the following points: the uninterrupted change from the transitional period to the permanent arrangements, in particular with reference to the continued effects of national requirements, the reasons for the deletion of professional representatives from the list, questions concerning place of business and other individual problems. The following is a report on the main questions:

(a) Conditions of admission

The Main Committee again discussed the question raised in the earlier negotiations concerning possession of the nationality of a Contracting State as a condition of entry on the list of professional representatives. The majority concluded that this condition should be laid down in Article 162 not only in respect of the permanent solution, but also in respect of the transitional period, in order to avoid the improper acquisition of representation rights after the publication of the Convention. The status quo was taken into account in so far that failure to have the nationality of a Contracting State would not prevent entry on the list, if the representative had a place of business or employment and the right of representation in a Contracting State on 5 October 1973, i. e. at the time of the signing of the Convention.

(b) Restrictions on authorisation to represent

The question arose as to whether restrictions on representation arising from national law should also be valid in respect of proceedings before the European Patent Office during the transitional period. The Committee unanimously considered that such restrictions based on specific rules of national law, in particular on the legislation of the Federal Republic of Germany, are not justified in respect of European proceedings. The corresponding provisions of Article 162, paragraphs 2 and 6 , were therefore deleted.

(c) Questions concerning place of business

Article 134 provided that the representatives entered on the list were entitled to establish a place of business in the Federal Republic of Germany and the Netherlands for the purpose of practising their profession before the European Patent Office. In view of proceedings before national authorities carrying out duties on behalf of the European Patent Office, as provided for in the Protocol on Centralisation, the Main Committee supplemented Article 134 accordingly. Professional representatives should consequently also be able to establish a place of business in the Contracting States concerned. There was also discussion of a provision which would have expressly granted the right to practise a profession to a professional representative, his associates, employees and colleagues and the right of establishment to these persons including their families. It was said in reply to the advocates of such a provision, who considered it to be a necessary adjunct to the right of residence, that this would be to bring a "foreign body" into the Convention and might possibly conflict with existing agreements in the field of public law. The Committee thereupon rejected the proposed supplement, but noted on the other hand that the stipulated right to a place of business in accordance with Article 134, paragraphs 3 and 4, would be meaningful only if its recognition were dealt with sensibly. A