Monday, November 2, 2020

Don't print the WIPO Applicant's Guide for EQE 2021 - 2070 pages!

** Updated: 5 Jan 2021 - download versions available**
Every year, WIPO produces a printable version of the complete PCT Applicants Guide, including annexes for 153 States, specifically for the Pre- and Main Exams. The 31 Oct 2020 version can be found here. It is 2070 pages and much of it will never be required at the exam. Hopefully, this is the last one as we transition to an online eEQE 😌. Note - Mock1 eEQE had no digital references. There was a weblink to the EPO EQE FAQs, so technically it is possible.

For many years, I have been making a cut-down version to lighten the load and to save a few trees. Based on the syllabus, the Regulations, past papers and comments from Examination Committees, I have limited it to "only" 800 pages. There are also a lot of useful overviews from the WIPO/EPO website that they did not include, so I have added about 250 extra pages, for a net saving of 1050 pages.   
The new edition is now available as 2 books, and the links are here with my other study materials. The downloadable version was completed on 7 Jan 2021. There will be two versions of the PCT References (31 Oct 2020):
  • Order 16x23cm books (2 separate books). Printed on thin bible paper and weighing 1050g, and are usually delivered in 10-14 days.
  • Download A4 files (2 separate PDF's). Provided free of charge for own printing. Please distribute to anyone who wants to use them for any non-commercial and unmodified use.
Uniquely, for EQE 2021 Main Exam, they will accept answers based on the 31 Oct 19 editions. So, these older editions are also still available for order or for download. See this blog post for more details on which version to use. 
According to the current EQE rules, only paper references will be allowed at EQE 2021. Hopefully they will make an exception for these PCT annexes. There are still no exact detail on what the exam portal will look like, so be prepared to have everything on paper.
I have also updated the EPO as PCT Authority and National Law & Validation books to the 31 Oct 20 status. 

10 comments:

  1. Hi Pete. I ordered the EPO Guidelines 2019 from https://www.boekenbestellen.nl/. However, unlike previous version, this one is printed on blueish paper. It was difficult for me to get used the new paper type used and I enquired for them if I could get it printed on the yellowish creamish paper like before but they said it was not possible. It was very disappointing. Is it really not possible to get this printed on yellowish creamish paper like before?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately, almost no-one will print on-demand on thin paper. The current printer had a lot of problems with the old paper, such as folding and smearing. So it is either this "whiter" paper, or the regular paper (90g) which results in books twice as thick. Sorry - I don't have another option.

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    2. Hi Pete, I'm positively surprised that at least one printer is willing to try thin paper for print-on-demand.
      On a different note, will it be possible to use the 'find' function in PDF on the EQE? Would be convenient if you could just use Control-F to search key words in the PCT Applicants Guide on the EQE.

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    3. At the moment, there is no word yet that the PCT Applicant's Guide will be provided or allowed in electronic form.
      Following the current rules, you will still have to print either the official version or my version.
      It would be trivial for them to provide it electronically, so I am hopeful they will do it. If they just upload the pdf's with the same viewer they used before, then ctrl-F will be available.

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  2. Hello Pete,

    do I also need
    Complete PCT Applicant's Guide
    for EQE, or
    if PCT References for EQE
    will be enough?

    BTW, I'm looking forward to the new version of PCT References for EQE :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your message.
      There is some overlap - the PCT References are basically the replacement for the official WIPO references, with the details for different states that may you need during the exam. It also includes the AG-IP and AG-NP Guidelines.

      The Complete Applicants Guide is more is useful during studying. But there are some parts you could need at the exam because the EP-PCT Guidelines is basically a collection of references to other guidelines (ISPE-GL and RO-GL).
      The AG-IP also has a few references to the AI, but they are unlikely to be relevant for the EQE.

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    2. ... I am finalising the PCT References now. It should be available at the end of the week to order.

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  3. Hi Pete, do you already know, when the PCT references for EQE will be available for free download? In your blog, I read about around December 14. Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Sorry - end of year rush here with a lot of patent cases. I will do it at Christmas when things are quieter.

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    2. Sorry for the delay - the download links have now been added to Study Materials page

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