The European Patent Office (EPO) is piloting opposition oral proceedings held by videoconference, as it seeks to mitigate the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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22 July 2021 The European Patent Office Enlarged Board of Appeal did not say whether it would enforce video hearings outside of emergencies, say Douglas Drysdale and Ellie Purnell of HGF.
16 March 2021 The European Patent Office is pressing ahead with a review into the legality of oral proceedings via video conference without the agreement of all parties, creating concerns over further delays to pending cases.
24 May 2021 The European Patent Office has confirmed that the livestream review into the legality of mandatory hearings by video conference is now open for registrations after it controversially dismissed two board members over impartiality concerns.