Online Communications Committee (OCC)

Size:

Task of the Committee:

The Online Communications Committee cooperates with the European Patent Office in the areas of digital information exchange, digital document processing, telecommunication, which includes the online filing tools, MyEPO, Mailbox and the diverse information tools. The committee places particular emphasis on data security and integrity, legal certainty, and ease of use. This work requires an appreciation of IT systems, but also the provisions of the EPC, rules and guidelines within those systems have to work.

The Committee draws also on experience and knowledge of the systems set up by the national patent offices of the EPC states, USA and Asia. In addition, the Committee monitors the activities of National Patent Offices in the Member States and other official institutions (WIPO, UPC) in the area of online communications in connection with intellectual property and observes the efforts of these institutions regarding harmonisation of online communications. The Committee deals with all questions relating to these projects referred to it by epi members.

The OCC calendar is anchored around a full meeting with EPO experts in Autumn each year (currently online), preceded by an internal meeting of OCC, usually in Munich. Another meeting is convened (typically online) in the Spring, preparing epi positions for the SACEPO Working Party on the Electronic Patent Process. However, since the pandemic, the range and frequency of meetings and collaborations have multiplied greatly, offering many opportunities to contribute and requiring much sharing of the load among the committee members. OCC members have contributed greatly to identifying and solving problems affecting users with existing systems and influencing the design of new systems at the EPO and elsewhere. OCC members increasingly support EPO’s IT Cooperation work with national offices, and more recently joins user representatives on an international stage, e.g. at WIPO and IP5.

Several epi members who are interested to contribute but are not elected members of the committee also contribute greatly as associate members.

What is expected from a member of this committee?

Above-average knowledge & interest in patent IT systems and in particular the IT systems used by the EPO, for example with responsibility for these systems in your own office. 

• Willingness to take responsibility for particular topics and join in user groups and pilots with the EPO and other bodies. 
• Collaborate with colleagues in different epi bodies, such as Litigation Committee (for UPC) and EPPC.
• Availability for 2 meetings per year (usually online but one in person/hybrid). 

Additional requirements:

• Interest in diagnosing problems that arise for members and proposing solutions.
• Interest in attending (virtual and/or physical) meetings of various bodies of EPO, WIPO etc. to observe on behalf of epi OCC.

 Terms of Reference of the OCC