The “legal” sessions cover the main procedures of the EPC and PCT (notably search, examination, opposition, appeal; EP-entry), time limits, fees, remedies, representation, languages, filing date requirements, priority, divisionals, etc. The legal framework encompasses the EPC (including the Guidelines), the PCT, the Paris Convention (PC), and the national law of Contracting States (in as far as is relevant for the EQE). Case Law is limited to clearly established decisions followed by the EPO, in particular the most important G decisions.
The “claims analysis” sessions provide the legal framework required for the claims analysis part, and discuss novelty, inventive step, unity, clarity and amendments in detail to build the candidates’ theoretical knowledge of the patentability and claim drafting requirements. The principles are immediately applied to shorter and longer cases to apply the legal principles to practical situations, and to thereby develop the candidate’s skills of patentability assessment and claim drafting/interpretation as well as being able to assess the scope of protection of the claims. It will thus include basic claiming and amendment practices, as well as elucidation of the problem-solution approach using practical examples, and assessing if a certain embodiments are within the scope of the claims, and why/why not.
Approximately 600 questions have been prepared to guide the candidates through the subjects and test their absorption of the legal subject. Candidates also practice on at least 3 exam papers.
Course fee
- Onsite – Pre-Exam Integrated (13-day), price € 6.595
- Early bird discount: € 185
Registration fee and VAT information
- An administrative fee of € 125 is charged for every booking. If more than one course is booked at the same time, only one administrative fee will be charged
- All fees are excluding 21% VAT