Niveau juridique : Union européenne
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texte de la question du 10-05-2016
The European Patent Office is not an official institution of the EU. However, because of the creation of unitary patent protection, the procedure will at least indirectly become an EU procedure. In proceedings before the European Patent Office, any third party may present observations concerning the patentability of an invention (Article 115 of the European Patent Convention, EPC). However, such observations (objections) may also be presented anonymously, and even through an interface of the European Patent Register. An objection can also be lodged anonymously. Some Boards of Appeal do not admit these objections, whereas others do.
Is it appropriate to allow anonymous objections in a procedure governed by the rule of law?
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texte de la réponse
The European Patent Office (EPO) is not an EU institution and the Commission cannot instruct the EPO on the practices to apply for patent examination. Once the patent package enters into force, the EPO will grant the unitary patent, which will potentially have effect in the territory of the EU Member States participating in the unitary patent.