European Patent Practice Committee (EPPC)

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This European Patent Pratice Committee (EPPC) shall include one full member for each member state and additional full members belonging to four technological groups as follows:

• Pharma: 10 full members
• Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): 12 full members
• Mechanics: 10 full members
• Chemistry: 8 full members

Task of the Committee:

EPPC considers and discusses all questions pertaining to, or connected with, practice under the European Patent Convention, the Unitary Patent Regulation and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) including any revision thereof, except questions concerning inventions in the field of biotechnology. EPPC drafts epi position papers and amicus curiae briefs.

What is expected from a member of this committee?

• EPPC considers and discusses all questions pertaining to, or connected with, practice under the EPC, the UPR and the PCT, including all the related Rules, Guidelines and Notices from the EPO or WIPO regarding practice. EPPC studies and comments on any proposed revisions of such texts and suggests amendments to those texts. The work of EPPC is closely related to the work of other Committees, such as the Committee on Biotechnological Inventions, the Online Communications Committee, the Litigation Committee and the EPO Finances Committee. EPPC liaises with these Committees to ensure that all subjects are properly addressed. EPPC drafts epi position papers and amicus briefs for ratification by Council and then submits them to relevant bodies.
• EPPC has four Technological Groups dealing with Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ICT, Mechanics and Chemistry. It also has sub-committees dealing with Rules, Guidelines, Unitary Patent, PCT, patent documentation and the Appeal Boards. EPPC generally meets once a year as a full body, to which the members of the Thematic Groups are usually invited. There is also generally one meeting a year between EPPC, the Committee on Biological Inventions and DG1 of the EPO. There are also many meetings with the EPO, primarily under the banner of SACEPO and its various committees but also on an ad hoc basis as necessary. 

Terms of Reference of the EPPC

Key Information EPPC