![\"SACEPO](\"https:\/\/www.epo.org\/news-events\/news\/2022\/20220627\/sacepovisual.jpg?lenya.module=svg&height=175&width=560\" "\\"SACEPO")
<\/p>\n\n27. Juni 2022
\n<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nOn 23 June user representatives convened virtually within the
\nframework of the Standing Advisory Committee before the EPO (SACEPO)
\nfor an exchange on the latest developments in the European patent system.\n<\/p>\n
\nIn his welcome address, President Ant\u00f3nio
\nCampinos highlighted the crucial role of SACEPO members in helping the EPO to
\nimprove the quality of its products and services. User feedback, he added, is
\nparticularly important when it comes to improving the EPO’s audit compliance
\nfigures, especially on grants.\n<\/p>\n
\nKey channels for user feedback are Stakeholder
\nQuality Assurance Panels (SQAPs) which consist of groups of patent
\nexperts brought together to discuss EPO practices and suggest improvements. Commenting on this year’s panels, the
\nPresident said: „We want to take the SQAPs further, so we can – with your
\nhelp – understand all stages of the patent granting process, covering the full
\nlife of the file<\/i>„.\n<\/p>\n
\nDuring the meeting users were also given
\nan update on the Unitary Patent package, due to be launched this winter.
\nDetailed information is also available online in the updated Unitary Patent Guide and Frequently
\nAsked Questions.\n<\/p>\n
\nDigital transformation was another key topic
\non the agenda. Discussions covered the latest
\nstatus of oral
\nproceedings by video conference, as well as developments in
\nIT co-operation, including the first EP validation and PCT e-filings via the
\nnew Front Office filing software for national patent offices.
\nSACEPO members commended the EPO on its achievements in developing the Front Office
\ntool.\n<\/p>\n
\nSACEPO members also welcomed the key findings of the EPO’s
\nnew study on the
\ngrace period, which
\nanalyses the impact of the strict novelty requirement under the EPC on
\napplicants.\n<\/p>\n
\nLastly, the EPO introduced the new Ombuds Office set up in
\nApril 2022. Complementing the user service
\ncharter, the Ombuds Office aims to support
\nexternal stakeholders who experience difficulties in their dealings with the
\nOffice and continuously enhance the user experience.\n<\/p>\n
\nChristoph Ernst, Vice-President for
\nLegal and International Affairs, thanked all SACEPO members for the inspiring and insightful exchange of
\nviews. Their open and frank input, he noted, will contribute to further raise
\nthe bar regarding all activities of the EPO.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
27. Juni 2022 On 23 June user representatives convened virtually within the framework of the Standing Advisory Committee before the EPO (SACEPO) for an exchange on the latest developments in the European patent system. In …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"nachrichtenkategorien":[130],"class_list":["post-32136","nachricht","type-nachricht","status-publish","hentry","nachrichtenkategorie-epa"],"yoast_head":"\n