URGENT UPDATE! EPO extends time limits again

On April 16, 2020 EPO issued the “Notice from the European Patent Office dated 16 April 2020 concerning the disruptions due to the COVID-19 outbreak”, in which it announced that all time limits expiring on or after 15 March 2020 (as stated in the Notice dated 15 March 2020) are further extended until 4 May 2020.

This notice was issued due to “the continued disruptions to public life caused by the COVID-19 outbreak”. EPO precisely explained that the extension applies to parties and representatives in proceedings under the EPC and the PCT. The new notice replaces the previous Notice dated 15 March 2020 and will be published in the EPO’s April Official Journal. It was also underlined that should the disruption continue after 4 May 2020, the EPO may publish another notice informing all users about further extensions.

It needs to be underlined that the Notice was announced on the EPO’s website “as a courtesy to the public”. The official announcement will follow in April Official Journal of the EPO. We are monitoring the situation and will keep you updated.