Guide for Applicants - Part 2
How to get a European patent
 


 

D  /  E




 
Guide for Applicants - Part 2    
D. The EPO as an International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) - PCT Chapter II C. The EPO as an International Searching Authority (ISA) - PCT Chapter I E. Euro-PCT procedure before the EPO as a designated (PCT Chapter I) or elected (PCT Chapter II) Office
II. The international preliminary examination procedure before the EPO as an IPEA I. General I. General
Time limit for reply to the written opinion Fourth case: The EPO did not act as ISA and the EPO as IPEA has objections Refusal to perform preliminary examination

Time limit for reply to the written opinion



The time limit for the reply to the first written opinion issued by the EPO as IPEA is usually two months but may be extended to a maximum of three months at the applicant's request. Such a request must be filed before expiry of the two-month time limit set. An extension will only be granted if the extended time limit does not expire later than 25 months from the priority date. An extension of the time limit may also be requested if the WO-ISA is considered to be the first written opinion of the EPO as IPEA (see point 116).

R. 44bis, 66.2(d) PCTR. 66.2(e), 69.2 PCT