EQE2011: known errors in reference materials

Updates are available for the reference books.

18^th Edition Visser:

An update is available here:

http://www.htelpublisher.com/update/

Note that the text for R.36(1) in this update is incorrect. It should be:

(a) the divisional application is filed before the expiry of a time limit of twenty-four months from the Examining Division's first communication under Article 94, paragraph 3, and Rule 71, paragraph 1 and 2, or Rule 71, paragraph 3, in respect of the earliest application for which a communication has been issued, or

On page 164 (Art.79(2) OJ2010, 603 is wrong for the extension fees grace period. It should be OJ2009, 603

I have reported this to Derk already

Sept 2010 version of Hoekstra:

Updates are available here:

http://hoekstradoc.nl/en/errata/

Erratum for the the Question and Answer books:

http://www.deltapatents.com/en/books/paper_d/

Good luck.

Remember that under the new compensation rules, if you get 45 points or more on D, you can compensate it with A/B/C. You can compensate ether either at this sitting or at future sittings of A/B/C.

Our printable versions of the PCT Applicants Guide - available now for EQE2011

The Examination Board will make a printable version available in the next couple of weeks. The Dec. 2010 version will appear here on the right-hand side of the page when it is ready)

However, this document is 1700 pages with a lot of information that will never be asked on the EQE, such as details on African states. Also there are other things on the WIPO web-site which you should have with you that are not included in the 1700 pages.

As an alternative, I have captured and assembled 3 books. They are intended to be printed with 2 pages on each A4 sheet and double-sided. The specific information on states is restricted to EPC states, the largest patent offices, the 12 most popular rO's, and the 12 most popular dO's & eO's.

Updated post - 2/2/11.
Addendum to Part II (pages 5 & 6). Receiving Offices left out of part II:
- All these rO's allow filings by their residents and nationals.
- All allow the EPO to be used as ISA, except for KP, PG & ZM
- If the EPO was the ISA, then all these rO's also allow the EPO to be the IPEA
- No information at all is available for these rO's: AG, DM, GD, KM, KN, VC 

PCT Appl Guide EQE2011.pdf – 285 pages

Comprising the “Guidelines” parts of the Applicants Guide.

Also comprising conversion tables for the old AG references, an introduction to PCT (including a useful guide to procedural safeguards) and the main applicant forms.

PCT Reference EQE2011 - Vol I.pdf – 338 pages

PCT Reference EQE2011 - Vol II.pdf – 174 pages

Comprising selected annexes from the PCT Applicants Guide.

Also comprising  overviews from the WIPO web-site, accession dates for Paris Convention, WTO and EPC states, WIPO/EPO agreement and information on EPO as SISA.

Enrolment for EQE 2012, including pre-exam

There is an announcement for EQE 2012

The very first pre-exam will be held on Monday 5 Mar 2012.
The last day to enrol will be 27 June 2011

The old-style EQE will be held for the last time on 6 - 8 Mar 2012
The last day to enrol for first-time sitters is 16 May 2011
and for resitters it is 12 Sept 2011

Be aware that these enrolment dates are final, and cannot be extended. If you miss them, you have to wait an extra year.

Index for the Guidelines - Part A now available !!

A very welcome additiion to the reference materials is an index for the Guidelines, now provided on the EQE Forum:
http://www.eqe-online.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8094

It is currently only part A, but you can subscribe to receive the rest at the beginning of the year

Ancillary Regulations - now available electronically and on paper

The 2010 version of the Ancillary Regulations is now available here

This book replaces the Special Edition 3 from 2007 and the old EPC1973Ancillary Regulations book.

The only thing that you need from the old EPC1973 book are the Legal Advices

R.36 updated retroactively

The EPO has a decision on its website amending R.36 to included the references to R.71(1) & R.71(3) ans the only communications from the Examining Division that trigger the 24m time limit for voluntary divisionals.

No change in meaning has occurred - they have simply added to the Rule what the interpretation already was.

Ancillary Regulations - to be reissued this year (2010)

The EPO will provide an updated version of the Ancillary Regulations as Special Edition Nr 1 - it should be ready by the end of the year
These Ancillary Regulations comprise decisions of the president and notices of the EPO, and this will save candidates having to scan through 2.5 years of OJ's

G1/09 - do you need to know it for the exam?

The short answer is: yes.
The syllabus states that you need to know the law as of 31/12/2010 and EQE 2011 will certainly have a number of questions on divisionals.
Your answer to a simple question like: "you anticipate a refusal in oral proceedings next week - what is the last possible moment to file a divisional?" may now be completely different. (see here for the answer)

I would also say that this is essential knowledge for daily life.

Also the legal basis for being able to file up to (but not including) the mention of the grant is no longer OJ 2002, 112 or GL A-IV, 1.1.1. It has now become Art.67(4), G1/09.

Now confirmed - pre-exam in 2012, it will be multiple choice

The exam committee has made an announcement yesterday on the EPO website that the pre-exam will go ahead in 2012.

The only thing that is not in the REE is the confirmation that the exam will be multiple choice. This was always the most likely because they need to keep the marking workload as low as possible and you need to know very quickly to give you time to prepare for the rest of the EQE.

PCT Applicants Guide now updated

The introduction to the PCT Applicants Guide (International Phase), which explains the law and procedure under PCT, has been updated. As far as I can tell, the only major change is related to e-mails (10.018A) and indicating the basis for amendments (11.047A).

Both could be part of an EQE question.