As the patent office for Europe, we support innovation, competitiveness and economic growth across Europe.
- Legal foundation
- Our governance
- Our principles
- Our leadership and management
- Our services and activities
Services & activities
The Office's core activity is the search and examination of patent applications and the grant of European patents. We also provide patent information and training services.
The EPO’s quality management is certified under the ISO 9001 standard.
The feedback of our users is very important to us. User consultation takes many different forms.
European and international co-operation
The Office works in close co-operation with the patent offices of the member states and other countries around the world.
The European Patent Academy provides patent-related training to lawyers, patent office staff, judges and other interested parties.
The Chief Economist unit provides expertise and analysis to foster well-informed policy debate on issues relating to patents, innovation and economic growth.
Delivering quality
Our commitment to quality
The clear vision of our management and a solid policy are the foundation for a strong quality culture.
Quality Report 2016
The very first of its kind, this annual quality report provides our users with a full set of quality indicators.
Managing and monitoring quality
We have put into place clear processes, responsibilities and monitoring to ensure both quality and efficiency.
Engaging with our customers
Delivering high quality services requires listening to and understanding users’ needs.
- Consulting our users
- Surveys
- Our customer service charter
- Timeliness of our Customer Services
- Handling of complaints
The ISO 9001 certification
The EPO's Quality Management System is certified under the ISO 9001 standard. This covers the entire patent process, including search, examination, opposition, limitation/revocation, patent information and post-grant activities.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- What are patents and what do they protect
- Where can I find information about utility models, copyright, trade marks and designs?
- I have an invention. How can I find out if something similar already exists and has been patented?
- Procedure and law
- Unitary Patent
- New practice on handwritten amendments
- Main changes to the ADAs as from 1 December 2017
- Amended Rule 6 EPC – Language-related fee reductions
- Information letter “Expected start of examination” (F2919)
- Enquiries about the processing of files
- The procedure
- Fees and costs
- Your application
- Practical advice
- Online filing
- New online filing (CMS)
- Web-form filing
- My Files
- Online fee payment
- Credit card fee payment
- European Patent Register
- Register Alert
- Third-party observations
- Mailbox
- PatXML
- Open Patent Services
- Administration
- Smart cards
