01/01/1970
EUROPEAN PATENT SYSTEM ONLINE TRAINING COURSE
8 x 2 Hour Interactive Sessions Weekly
16 October – 4 December 2023 | 9AM UK Time | Online
Our popular European Patent System Training Course is back and updated! It now includes an update on the cases so far at the new unified patent court, an update on the only decision of the Enlarged Board of Appeal in the last year, on plausibility, and an update on amendments to the description.
Join us for 8 x 2 hour interactive sessions. We will discuss key details of the European Patent Convention (EPC), and how these compare with national systems such as those in Germany and the UK as well as the unitary patent system. Each session typically involves a presentation by European patent attorneys from the Reddie & Grose Munich, London and Cambridge offices, and discussion of worked examples.
Who is the course for?
Chinese, Korean and Japanese Attorneys in in-house positions or in law firms.
What will you gain?
- An opportunity to familiarise yourself with the details of the EPC and understand better the objections and procedural requirements presented by European examiners.
- An opportunity to raise questions with European Patent Attorneys at Reddie & Grose and discuss example problems.
- Copies of the presentation materials for self-study.
We are pleased to provide the course free of charge to our clients and colleagues.
Course Syllabus & Schedule
| Session 1: 16 October 2023 Novelty and Inventive Step at the EPO Novelty (Art 54(2)); implicit disclosure; accidental disclosure; novelty only citations (Art 54(3)); inventive step (Art 56) the problem and solution approach in inventive step; plausibility (G2/21); common general knowledge, the skilled person; arguments based on the prior art documents; arguments based on advantages provided by the invention; what is the EPO looking for? How to provide convincing arguments. | Session 5: 13 November 2023 Procedure at the EPO Filing a convention application; filing a regional phase application; priority considerations; deadlines for fees; Rule 161 communication; multiple independent claims and election; European search report; Rule 69 or Rule 70 communication and examination; examination reports; oral proceedings before the Examining Division; third party observations; the notice of allowance; accepting or refusing the allowed text; validation and opting out of the unified patent court; requesting European patent be granted with unitary effect; appeal; the opposition deadline; filing a divisional application. |
| Session 2: 23 October 2023 Added Subject Matter and Clarity at the EPO How does the EPO assess added subject matter? The gold standard assessment; deletion of features from claims; intermediate generalisations; ranges and values; providing page and line basis for amendments; Examiner powers to request basis for amendments; oppositions and the added subject matter trap of Art 123; Art 84 Clarity. | Session 6: 20 November 2023 Pitfalls and Tips Unsearched subject matter; limitations on amendments; different embodiments in the same application; excess claims fees; different categories of claims; using 15 claims effectively to avoid costs; what Examiners are looking for in inventive step arguments; added subject matter issues. |
| Session 3: 30 October 2023 Excluded Subject Matter Examples (EPO) Art 52(2) EPO treatment of applications relating to computer programs, mental acts, business methods, presentations of information; meaning of “as such”; AI inventions; technical problem and technical solution approach; key case and examples; G1/19 on simulations; methods of treatment of human or animal body; diagnostic methods. | Session 7: 27 November 2023 Opposition and Appeal (EPO) Opposition and appeal procedure; proceedings on the day; grounds for opposition; clarity (Art 84) and sufficiency (Art 83); composition of the Opposition Division, or the Board of Appeal; witnesses and witness statements; presenting arguments effectively; role of prior art and common general knowledge used in inventive step arguments; opposition and appeal oral proceedings by video conference (G1/21). |
| Session 4: 6 November 2023 Office Action Response Review of an example office action, review of novelty, inventive step, clarity, sufficiency, formal matters and making of amendments including to the description; relevance of prior art; how to rebut the Examiner’s arguments of obviousness. | Session 8: 4 December 2023 Comparison and interaction between the European and national patent systems Key points of difference between UK and German systems for prosecution and litigation including infringement and invalidity; the unitary patent system; post-grant procedures at the EPO; double patenting. |
Meet the speakers
Nick Reeve | Partner | London
European Patent Attorney & Chartered Patent Attorney; MSci, Physics, Imperial College
Nick Reeve is a fluent Japanese speaker specialising in patents in the electronics sector. Nick handles patent applications relating to sensing and control devices, semiconductor technology and power amplifiers, and has an in-depth knowledge of the patentability and enforcement issues surrounding digital media and telecommunication technologies.
Dr Robert Sackin | Partner | Cambridge
European Patent Attorney & Chartered Patent Attorney; PhD in Condensed Matter Physics, University of Surrey; Master’s in Engineering Science, University of Oxford
Robert Sackin has 20 years’ experience in the European patent system and handles a wide range of technologies with a particular focus on computer implemented inventions. He is experienced in all aspects of the European patent system including pre-grant filing and prosecution, and post-grant opposition and appeal.
Dr Alan Bates | Partner | Cambridge
Chartered Patent Attorney & European Patent Attorney; PhD, “Development of microstructure in electron beam welded ferritic steels”, Cambridge University; MEng, Materials Engineering, University of Birmingham
Alan Bates’s background is in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering. Alan’s current work involves aspects of materials science, and he deals with clients involved in technologies such as metal extraction, medical equipment and implants, and semiconductor devices.
Robin Ellis | Partner | Munich
European Patent Attorney & Chartered Patent Attorney; MNatSc (Chem) with German, University of Birmingham (2000)
Robin Ellis has 20+ years in the profession and has a background in chemistry and pharmaceuticals. Robin’s work focuses on commercial and contentious matters including oppositions; freedom to operate assessments; licencing and launch & litigation strategies in European and non-European jurisdictions.
For more information or to reserve a place please email events@reddie.co.uk by Monday 9 October or click on the button below.
