European Patent Office News - Oral proceedings by videoconference before the Boards of Appeal

In the light of the developments in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the EPO has announced that the Boards of Appeal will lift measures regulating the arrangement and conduct of oral proceedings from 1 February 2023. The conduct of oral proceedings using videoconferencing (VICO) continues to be provided. 

It is at the discretion of a board in each case to summon parties to and conduct oral proceedings either in person or by VICO. Parties may, prior to and/or after the issuance of summons, submit reasons to the board why they have a preference for a particular type of oral proceedings and a board has discretion in deciding on those issues. Further details can be found here.

The EPO has also launched a user consultation on the implementation of oral proceedings by VICO before the Boards of Appeal.