欧州特許出願の手続で注意すべき点 [欧州特許実務(EP practices)]
「欧州特許出願の手続で注意すべき点」
（「２つの出願ルートによる欧州特許出願の手続の比較（２）」の続き）
・２００５年７月１日以降の全て欧州出願については、欧州調査報告の他に、ＥＰＣの要件（実体的要件、形式的要件）を満たしているか否かに関する意見が作成される（拡張された欧州調査報告）。この意見は公開されない（施行規則６２、審査基準Ｂ―ＸＩＩ ３）。
Rule 62
Extended European search report
(1) The European search report shall be accompanied by an opinion on whether the application and the invention to which it relates seem to meet the requirements of this Convention, unless a communication under Rule 71, paragraph 1 or 3, can be issued.
(2) The opinion under paragraph 1 shall not be published together with the search report.
Guidelines for Examination
B-XII 3. Analysis of the application and content of the search opinion
Where it is held that the application and/or the invention to which it relates does not satisfy the requirements of the EPC, then corresponding objections are raised in the search opinion.
・拡張された欧州調査報告を受け取った後であって１回目の局指令が発行される前においては、出願人は欧州調査報告および意見に対してコメントおよび補正書を提出することが可能である（審査基準Ｃ－ＶＩ ３．２）。応答しない場合、一般的に、拡張された欧州調査報告と同じ内容の１回目の拒絶理由通知が発行される（審査基準Ｃ－ＶＩ ３．５）。
Guidelines for Examination
C-VI 3.2 Filing of comments and amendments by the applicant; PACE
Following receipt of the search report and prior to the first communication from the examining division, the applicant may file comments on the search report and if applicable on the search opinion, and file amendments to the description, claims or drawings. These amendments may be submitted to overcome the objections raised in the search opinion or they may be suggested for some other reason, e.g. to remedy some obscurity which the applicant himself has noted in the original documents.
C-VI 3.5 First communication
If no search opinion has been issued (see 1.1.2 above, III, 7.11.1(ii) and B-XII, 1.1), the examiner's first communication under Art. 94(3) will, as a general rule (see B-XII, 3), cover all objections to the application (but see B-XII, 3.4). These objections may relate to formal matters (e.g. failure to comply with one or more of the requirements specified in Rules 30 to 34, 41 to 43, 46 and 48 to 50), to substantive matters (e.g. the subject-matter of the application is not patentable), or to both.
If a search opinion according to Rule 62(1) has been issued, and if the applicant has not replied to it, a communication referring to the search opinion and setting a time limit for reply will be issued as the first communication under Art. 94(3). Failure to respond to this communication in due time will result in the application being deemed withdrawn according to Art. 94(4). If the applicant has filed amendments or comments in response to the search opinion, they will be taken into account when drafting the first communication.
・２０１０年４月１日以降に発行された欧州調査報告（及び拡張された欧州調査報告）に対しては、所定期間内にコメントを提出することが義務づけられる。提出しない場合には出願が取り下げられたものと見なされる（規則７０ａ）。
Rule 70a Response to the extended European search report
(1) In the opinion accompanying the European search report the European Patent Office shall give the applicant the opportunity to comment on the extended European search report and, where appropriate, invite him to correct any deficiencies noted in the opinion accompanying the European search report and to amend the description, claims and drawings within the period referred to in Rule 70, paragraph 1.
(2) In the case referred to in Rule 70, paragraph 2, or if a supplementary European search report is drawn up on a Euro-PCT-application, the European Patent Office shall give the applicant the opportunity to comment on the extended European search report and, where appropriate, invite him to correct any deficiencies noted in the opinion accompanying the European search report and to amend the description, claims and drawings within the period specified for indicating whether he wishes to proceed further with the application.
(3) If the applicant neither complies with nor comments on an invitation in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
椿特許事務所
弁理士ＩＴ
（「２つの出願ルートによる欧州特許出願の手続の比較（２）」の続き）
・２００５年７月１日以降の全て欧州出願については、欧州調査報告の他に、ＥＰＣの要件（実体的要件、形式的要件）を満たしているか否かに関する意見が作成される（拡張された欧州調査報告）。この意見は公開されない（施行規則６２、審査基準Ｂ―ＸＩＩ ３）。
Rule 62
Extended European search report
(1) The European search report shall be accompanied by an opinion on whether the application and the invention to which it relates seem to meet the requirements of this Convention, unless a communication under Rule 71, paragraph 1 or 3, can be issued.
(2) The opinion under paragraph 1 shall not be published together with the search report.
Guidelines for Examination
B-XII 3. Analysis of the application and content of the search opinion
Where it is held that the application and/or the invention to which it relates does not satisfy the requirements of the EPC, then corresponding objections are raised in the search opinion.
・拡張された欧州調査報告を受け取った後であって１回目の局指令が発行される前においては、出願人は欧州調査報告および意見に対してコメントおよび補正書を提出することが可能である（審査基準Ｃ－ＶＩ ３．２）。応答しない場合、一般的に、拡張された欧州調査報告と同じ内容の１回目の拒絶理由通知が発行される（審査基準Ｃ－ＶＩ ３．５）。
Guidelines for Examination
C-VI 3.2 Filing of comments and amendments by the applicant; PACE
Following receipt of the search report and prior to the first communication from the examining division, the applicant may file comments on the search report and if applicable on the search opinion, and file amendments to the description, claims or drawings. These amendments may be submitted to overcome the objections raised in the search opinion or they may be suggested for some other reason, e.g. to remedy some obscurity which the applicant himself has noted in the original documents.
C-VI 3.5 First communication
If no search opinion has been issued (see 1.1.2 above, III, 7.11.1(ii) and B-XII, 1.1), the examiner's first communication under Art. 94(3) will, as a general rule (see B-XII, 3), cover all objections to the application (but see B-XII, 3.4). These objections may relate to formal matters (e.g. failure to comply with one or more of the requirements specified in Rules 30 to 34, 41 to 43, 46 and 48 to 50), to substantive matters (e.g. the subject-matter of the application is not patentable), or to both.
If a search opinion according to Rule 62(1) has been issued, and if the applicant has not replied to it, a communication referring to the search opinion and setting a time limit for reply will be issued as the first communication under Art. 94(3). Failure to respond to this communication in due time will result in the application being deemed withdrawn according to Art. 94(4). If the applicant has filed amendments or comments in response to the search opinion, they will be taken into account when drafting the first communication.
・２０１０年４月１日以降に発行された欧州調査報告（及び拡張された欧州調査報告）に対しては、所定期間内にコメントを提出することが義務づけられる。提出しない場合には出願が取り下げられたものと見なされる（規則７０ａ）。
Rule 70a Response to the extended European search report
(1) In the opinion accompanying the European search report the European Patent Office shall give the applicant the opportunity to comment on the extended European search report and, where appropriate, invite him to correct any deficiencies noted in the opinion accompanying the European search report and to amend the description, claims and drawings within the period referred to in Rule 70, paragraph 1.
(2) In the case referred to in Rule 70, paragraph 2, or if a supplementary European search report is drawn up on a Euro-PCT-application, the European Patent Office shall give the applicant the opportunity to comment on the extended European search report and, where appropriate, invite him to correct any deficiencies noted in the opinion accompanying the European search report and to amend the description, claims and drawings within the period specified for indicating whether he wishes to proceed further with the application.
(3) If the applicant neither complies with nor comments on an invitation in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
椿特許事務所
弁理士ＩＴ
２つの出願ルートによる欧州特許出願の手続の比較（２） [欧州特許実務(EP practices)]
「２つの出願ルートによる欧州特許出願の手続の比較（２）」
（「２つの出願ルートによる欧州特許出願の手続の比較（１）」の続き）
４．欧州特許庁に直接出願するルートの場合の出願後から審査開始までの手続き
・出願日が認定された欧州特許出願は、欧州調査報告が発行される（ＥＰＣ９２条）。出願から欧州調査報告の発行まで出願人は補正をすることができないので（規則１３７（１））、この調査は出願時のクレームに対してなされる。
Article 92
Drawing up of the European search report
The European Patent Office shall, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations, draw up and publish a European search report in respect of the European patent application on the basis of the claims, with due regard to the description and any drawings.
Rule 137
Amendment of the European patent application
(1) Before receiving the European search report, the applicant may not amend the description, claims or drawings of a European patent application unless otherwise provided.
・欧州特許出願は、出願人からの公開の請求があった場合を除き、優先日から１８ヶ月経過後に公開される（ＥＰＣ９３条（１））。公開の技術的な準備の前に欧州調査報告が作成されていれば、公開には欧州調査報告も含まれる（施行規則６８（１））。
Article 93
Publication of the European patent application
(1) The European Patent Office shall publish the European patent application as soon as possible
(a) after the expiry of a period of eighteen months from the date of filing or, if priority has been claimed, from the date of priority, or
(b) at the request of the applicant, before the expiry of that period.
Rule 68
Form of the publication of European patent applications and European search reports
(1) The publication of the European patent application shall contain the description, the claims and any drawings as filed, and the abstract, or, if these documents making up the application were not filed in an official language of the European Patent Office, a translation in the language of the proceedings, and, in an annex, the European search report, where it is available before the termination of the technical preparations for publication. If the search report or the abstract is not published at the same time as the application, it shall be published separately.
・欧州特許公報が欧州調査報告の公開に言及した日後６ヶ月以内に、出願人は審査請求を行うことができる（施行規則７０（１））。欧州調査報告が出願人に送付される前に審査請求がなされている場合には、所定期間内に権利化手続を進めるか否かを示す機会が与えられ、欧州調査報告に対し意見を述べ、必要であればクレーム等を補正する機会が与えられる（施行規則７０（２））。期限内に出願人が応答しなかった場合には、出願が取り下げられたものと見なされる（施行規則７０条（３））。
Rule 70
Request for examination
(1) The applicant may request examination of the European patent application up to six months after the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the publication of the European search report. The request may not be withdrawn.
(2) If the request for examination has been filed before the European search report has been transmitted to the applicant, the European Patent Office shall invite the applicant to indicate, within a period to be specified, whether he wishes to proceed further with the application, and shall give him the opportunity to comment on the search report and to amend, where appropriate, the description, claims and drawings.
(3) If the applicant fails to reply in due time to the invitation under paragraph 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
５．ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合の移行後から審査開始までの手続き
・ＰＣＴ出願がＥＰＣの公式言語以外の言語で公開されて、かつＥＰＣの公式言語による翻訳文が提出されると、出願の翻訳文は公開される（ＥＰＣ１５３条（４））。
Article 153
The European Patent Office as designated Office or elected Office
(4) If the Euro-PCT application is published in another language, a translation into one of the official languages shall be filed with the European Patent Office, which shall publish it. Subject to Article 67, paragraph 3, the provisional protection under Article 67, paragraphs 1 and 2, shall be effective from the date of that publication.
・ＰＣＴ出願に関して作成された国際調査報告が欧州調査報告を置き換える（ＥＰＣ１５３条（６）。欧州特許庁等などが国際調査報告を作成した出願以外については、国際調査報告の他に欧州特許庁が補助的に調査を行い、補助欧州調査報告が作成される（ＥＰＣ１５３条（７））。欧州移行後の通知から１ヶ月以内に補正をした場合には、この調査は補正後のクレームに対してなされる（施行規則１６１）。補助欧州調査報告の調査料は、日本特許庁が国際調査機関である等の一定の条件を満たす場合に減額される（審査基準Ａ－ＸＩ ９．３．１）。
Article 153
The European Patent Office as designated Office or elected Office
(6) The international search report drawn up in respect of a Euro-PCT application or the declaration replacing it, and their international publication, shall take the place of the European search report and the mention of its publication in the European Patent Bulletin.
(7) A supplementary European search report shall be drawn up in respect of any Euro-PCT application under paragraph 5. The Administrative Council may decide that the supplementary search report is to be dispensed with or that the search fee is to be reduced.
Rule 161
Amendment of the application
Without prejudice to Rule 137, paragraphs 2 to 4, the application may be amended once, within one month from a communication informing the applicant accordingly. The application as amended shall serve as the basis for any supplementary search which has to be performed under Article 153, paragraph 7.
Guidelines for Examination
A-XI 9.3.1 Reduction of the search fee for a supplementary European search
The search fee for a supplementary European search report is reduced for PCT applications for which the Patent Office of the USA, Japan, China, Australia, Russia or Korea was the International Searching Authority (see OJ 9/1979, 368; OJ 1/1981, 5; OJ 1-2/1994, 6; OJ 7/2000, 321). In these cases, the supplementary search fee is reduced by 20%, but only if the International application has an International filing date before 1 July 2005 (OJ 11/2005, 548, OJ 11/2005, 577, OJ 3/2006, 192). If the application has an International filing date on or after 1 July 2005, then the fee is reduced by a fixed amount (see OJ 3/2006, 192 and OJ 11/2005, 548).
・補助欧州特許公開が欧州調査報告の公開に言及した日から所定期間内に、権利化手続を進めるか否かを示す機会が与えられ、欧州調査報告に対し意見を述べ、必要であればクレーム等を補正する機会が与えられる（施行規則７０（２））。期限内に出願人が応答しなかった場合には、出願が取り下げられたものと見なされる（施行規則７０条（３））。
Rule 70
Request for examination
(1) The applicant may request examination of the European patent application up to six months after the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the publication of the European search report. The request may not be withdrawn.
(2) If the request for examination has been filed before the European search report has been transmitted to the applicant, the European Patent Office shall invite the applicant to indicate, within a period to be specified, whether he wishes to proceed further with the application, and shall give him the opportunity to comment on the search report and to amend, where appropriate, the description, claims and drawings.
(3) If the applicant fails to reply in due time to the invitation under paragraph 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
６．２つの出願ルートの相違点
・欧州特許庁に直接出願した場合には欧州調査報告が発行されるのに対し、ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合であって、欧州特許庁等などが国際調査報告を作成していない場合には、国際調査報告に加えて欧州特許庁が補助的に先行技術調査を行い、補助欧州調査報告が発行される。
・欧州特許庁に直接出願した場合、欧州調査報告は出願時のクレームに対して作成されるのに対し、ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合、欧州移行後の通知から１ヶ月以内に補正をすることができ、補正した場合には、補助欧州調査報告は補正後のクレームに対して作成される。
・ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合、通常、欧州への移行の際に審査請求が既に行われているので、欧州特許公開が欧州調査報告の公開に言及した日から所定期間内に、権利化手続を進める意志があるか否かを示す必要がある。なお、所定の手続きによりこの意志確認の手続きを省略することが可能である（審査基準Ｃ－ＶＩ １．１．２）。
Guidelines for Examination
C-VI 1.1.2 Acceleration of examination procedure
Where the applicant files a request for examination before the search report is transmitted to him, he may also dispense with the need to comply with the invitation pursuant to Rule 70(2), and file a categorical request for examination whatever the result of the search may be, by which the procedure can also be accelerated (see Notice from the EPO dated 14 July 2007, Special edition No. 3, OJ EPO 2007, F.1). In this case, confirmation that he desires to proceed further with his application is deemed to be given when the search report is transmitted to him, so that in accordance with Rule 62(1) the search report is not accompanied by a search opinion. Under these circumstances, if the application is not in order for grant, a communication under Art. 94(3) and Rule 71(1) and (2) is transmitted to the applicant. If the application is in order for grant, the subsequent procedure will depend on whether or not it is possible at that time to carry out the search for conflicting European applications according to Art. 54(3) (see VI, 8.1 and B-XII, 8). If that search can be carried out, and assuming that it does not identify any conflicting applications, then the communication under Rule 71(3) is transmitted to the applicant. If it cannot yet be carried out, then the communication from the examining division will be postponed until the said search is completed and the applicant will be informed accordingly. If the European patent application is subsequently withdrawn before the substantive examination has begun, 75% of the examination fee will be refunded. For other ways of accelerating the European grant procedure, e.g. under the PACE programme, see E-VIII, 3.
椿特許事務所
弁理士ＩＴ
（「２つの出願ルートによる欧州特許出願の手続の比較（１）」の続き）
４．欧州特許庁に直接出願するルートの場合の出願後から審査開始までの手続き
・出願日が認定された欧州特許出願は、欧州調査報告が発行される（ＥＰＣ９２条）。出願から欧州調査報告の発行まで出願人は補正をすることができないので（規則１３７（１））、この調査は出願時のクレームに対してなされる。
Article 92
Drawing up of the European search report
The European Patent Office shall, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations, draw up and publish a European search report in respect of the European patent application on the basis of the claims, with due regard to the description and any drawings.
Rule 137
Amendment of the European patent application
(1) Before receiving the European search report, the applicant may not amend the description, claims or drawings of a European patent application unless otherwise provided.
・欧州特許出願は、出願人からの公開の請求があった場合を除き、優先日から１８ヶ月経過後に公開される（ＥＰＣ９３条（１））。公開の技術的な準備の前に欧州調査報告が作成されていれば、公開には欧州調査報告も含まれる（施行規則６８（１））。
Article 93
Publication of the European patent application
(1) The European Patent Office shall publish the European patent application as soon as possible
(a) after the expiry of a period of eighteen months from the date of filing or, if priority has been claimed, from the date of priority, or
(b) at the request of the applicant, before the expiry of that period.
Rule 68
Form of the publication of European patent applications and European search reports
(1) The publication of the European patent application shall contain the description, the claims and any drawings as filed, and the abstract, or, if these documents making up the application were not filed in an official language of the European Patent Office, a translation in the language of the proceedings, and, in an annex, the European search report, where it is available before the termination of the technical preparations for publication. If the search report or the abstract is not published at the same time as the application, it shall be published separately.
・欧州特許公報が欧州調査報告の公開に言及した日後６ヶ月以内に、出願人は審査請求を行うことができる（施行規則７０（１））。欧州調査報告が出願人に送付される前に審査請求がなされている場合には、所定期間内に権利化手続を進めるか否かを示す機会が与えられ、欧州調査報告に対し意見を述べ、必要であればクレーム等を補正する機会が与えられる（施行規則７０（２））。期限内に出願人が応答しなかった場合には、出願が取り下げられたものと見なされる（施行規則７０条（３））。
Rule 70
Request for examination
(1) The applicant may request examination of the European patent application up to six months after the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the publication of the European search report. The request may not be withdrawn.
(2) If the request for examination has been filed before the European search report has been transmitted to the applicant, the European Patent Office shall invite the applicant to indicate, within a period to be specified, whether he wishes to proceed further with the application, and shall give him the opportunity to comment on the search report and to amend, where appropriate, the description, claims and drawings.
(3) If the applicant fails to reply in due time to the invitation under paragraph 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
５．ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合の移行後から審査開始までの手続き
・ＰＣＴ出願がＥＰＣの公式言語以外の言語で公開されて、かつＥＰＣの公式言語による翻訳文が提出されると、出願の翻訳文は公開される（ＥＰＣ１５３条（４））。
Article 153
The European Patent Office as designated Office or elected Office
(4) If the Euro-PCT application is published in another language, a translation into one of the official languages shall be filed with the European Patent Office, which shall publish it. Subject to Article 67, paragraph 3, the provisional protection under Article 67, paragraphs 1 and 2, shall be effective from the date of that publication.
・ＰＣＴ出願に関して作成された国際調査報告が欧州調査報告を置き換える（ＥＰＣ１５３条（６）。欧州特許庁等などが国際調査報告を作成した出願以外については、国際調査報告の他に欧州特許庁が補助的に調査を行い、補助欧州調査報告が作成される（ＥＰＣ１５３条（７））。欧州移行後の通知から１ヶ月以内に補正をした場合には、この調査は補正後のクレームに対してなされる（施行規則１６１）。補助欧州調査報告の調査料は、日本特許庁が国際調査機関である等の一定の条件を満たす場合に減額される（審査基準Ａ－ＸＩ ９．３．１）。
Article 153
The European Patent Office as designated Office or elected Office
(6) The international search report drawn up in respect of a Euro-PCT application or the declaration replacing it, and their international publication, shall take the place of the European search report and the mention of its publication in the European Patent Bulletin.
(7) A supplementary European search report shall be drawn up in respect of any Euro-PCT application under paragraph 5. The Administrative Council may decide that the supplementary search report is to be dispensed with or that the search fee is to be reduced.
Rule 161
Amendment of the application
Without prejudice to Rule 137, paragraphs 2 to 4, the application may be amended once, within one month from a communication informing the applicant accordingly. The application as amended shall serve as the basis for any supplementary search which has to be performed under Article 153, paragraph 7.
Guidelines for Examination
A-XI 9.3.1 Reduction of the search fee for a supplementary European search
The search fee for a supplementary European search report is reduced for PCT applications for which the Patent Office of the USA, Japan, China, Australia, Russia or Korea was the International Searching Authority (see OJ 9/1979, 368; OJ 1/1981, 5; OJ 1-2/1994, 6; OJ 7/2000, 321). In these cases, the supplementary search fee is reduced by 20%, but only if the International application has an International filing date before 1 July 2005 (OJ 11/2005, 548, OJ 11/2005, 577, OJ 3/2006, 192). If the application has an International filing date on or after 1 July 2005, then the fee is reduced by a fixed amount (see OJ 3/2006, 192 and OJ 11/2005, 548).
・補助欧州特許公開が欧州調査報告の公開に言及した日から所定期間内に、権利化手続を進めるか否かを示す機会が与えられ、欧州調査報告に対し意見を述べ、必要であればクレーム等を補正する機会が与えられる（施行規則７０（２））。期限内に出願人が応答しなかった場合には、出願が取り下げられたものと見なされる（施行規則７０条（３））。
Rule 70
Request for examination
(1) The applicant may request examination of the European patent application up to six months after the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the publication of the European search report. The request may not be withdrawn.
(2) If the request for examination has been filed before the European search report has been transmitted to the applicant, the European Patent Office shall invite the applicant to indicate, within a period to be specified, whether he wishes to proceed further with the application, and shall give him the opportunity to comment on the search report and to amend, where appropriate, the description, claims and drawings.
(3) If the applicant fails to reply in due time to the invitation under paragraph 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
６．２つの出願ルートの相違点
・欧州特許庁に直接出願した場合には欧州調査報告が発行されるのに対し、ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合であって、欧州特許庁等などが国際調査報告を作成していない場合には、国際調査報告に加えて欧州特許庁が補助的に先行技術調査を行い、補助欧州調査報告が発行される。
・欧州特許庁に直接出願した場合、欧州調査報告は出願時のクレームに対して作成されるのに対し、ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合、欧州移行後の通知から１ヶ月以内に補正をすることができ、補正した場合には、補助欧州調査報告は補正後のクレームに対して作成される。
・ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合、通常、欧州への移行の際に審査請求が既に行われているので、欧州特許公開が欧州調査報告の公開に言及した日から所定期間内に、権利化手続を進める意志があるか否かを示す必要がある。なお、所定の手続きによりこの意志確認の手続きを省略することが可能である（審査基準Ｃ－ＶＩ １．１．２）。
Guidelines for Examination
C-VI 1.1.2 Acceleration of examination procedure
Where the applicant files a request for examination before the search report is transmitted to him, he may also dispense with the need to comply with the invitation pursuant to Rule 70(2), and file a categorical request for examination whatever the result of the search may be, by which the procedure can also be accelerated (see Notice from the EPO dated 14 July 2007, Special edition No. 3, OJ EPO 2007, F.1). In this case, confirmation that he desires to proceed further with his application is deemed to be given when the search report is transmitted to him, so that in accordance with Rule 62(1) the search report is not accompanied by a search opinion. Under these circumstances, if the application is not in order for grant, a communication under Art. 94(3) and Rule 71(1) and (2) is transmitted to the applicant. If the application is in order for grant, the subsequent procedure will depend on whether or not it is possible at that time to carry out the search for conflicting European applications according to Art. 54(3) (see VI, 8.1 and B-XII, 8). If that search can be carried out, and assuming that it does not identify any conflicting applications, then the communication under Rule 71(3) is transmitted to the applicant. If it cannot yet be carried out, then the communication from the examining division will be postponed until the said search is completed and the applicant will be informed accordingly. If the European patent application is subsequently withdrawn before the substantive examination has begun, 75% of the examination fee will be refunded. For other ways of accelerating the European grant procedure, e.g. under the PACE programme, see E-VIII, 3.
椿特許事務所
弁理士ＩＴ
２つの出願ルートによる欧州特許出願の手続の比較（１） [欧州特許実務(EP practices)]
「２つの出願ルートによる欧州特許出願の手続の比較（１）」
欧州への特許出願には、大きく分けて以下の３つのルートが存在する。
①欧州特許協力条約（ＥＰＣ）に基づいて欧州特許庁に直接出願するルート
②ＰＣＴ（特許協力条約）による特許出願でＥＰＣを指定するルート（ＰＣＴルート）
③所望の国へ直接国内出願をするルート
これらのルートのうち利用する機会の多い、①欧州特許庁に直接出願するルートと、②ＰＣＴルートとの手続を比較してまとめた。
１．欧州特許庁に直接出願するルートの手続
・欧州特許庁に直接出願するルートの場合、出願は以下のものを含んでいる必要がある（ＥＰＣ７８条（１））
(a)欧州特許を求める願書
(b)発明の説明
(c)１つ以上のクレーム
(d)明細書またはクレームで言及した図面
(e)要約
Article 78
Requirements of a European patent application
(1) A European patent application shall contain:
(a) a request for the grant of a European patent;
(b) a description of the invention;
(c) one or more claims;
(d) any drawings referred to in the description or the claims;
(e) an abstract
and satisfy the requirements laid down in the Implementing Regulations.
・日本出願を基礎とする場合、最先の優先日から１６ヶ月以内（好ましくは欧州出願時）に、優先権を主張する必要がある（施行規則５２（１）（２））。
Rule 52
Declaration of priority
(1) The declaration of priority referred to in Article 88, paragraph 1, shall indicate the date of the previous filing, the State party to the Paris Convention or Member of the World Trade Organization in or for which it was made and the file number. In the case referred to in Article 87, paragraph 5, the first sentence shall apply mutatis mutandis.
(2) The declaration of priority shall preferably be made on filing the European patent application. It may still be made within sixteen months from the earliest priority date claimed.
・優先権の主張には、基礎となる出願の日付、出願国および出願番号の表示が必要である（施行規則５２（１））。日本出願を基礎とする場合、優先権証明書およびその翻訳文の提出は不要である。但し、優先権主張の有効性が発明の特許性に関係する場合には、基礎となる出願の翻訳文の提出を求められる場合がある（施行規則５３（１）～（３））。
Rule 53
Priority documents
(1) An applicant claiming priority shall file a copy of the previous application within sixteen months of the earliest priority date claimed. This copy and the date of filing of the previous application shall be certified as correct by the authority with which that application was filed.
(2) The copy of the previous application shall be deemed to be duly filed if a copy of that application available to the European Patent Office is to be included in the file of the European patent application under the conditions determined by the President of the European Patent Office.
(3) Where the previous application is not in an official language of the European Patent Office and the validity of the priority claim is relevant to the determination of the patentability of the invention concerned, the European Patent Office shall invite the applicant for or proprietor of the European patent to file a translation of that application into one of the official languages within a period to be specified. Alternatively, a declaration may be submitted that the European patent application is a complete translation of the previous application. Paragraph 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
・出願料および欧州調査の調査料は、出願日から１ヶ月以内に支払わなければならない。支払われない場合、出願は取り下げられたものと見なされる（ＥＰＣ７８条（２））。
Article 78
(2) A European patent application shall be subject to the payment of the filing fee and the search fee. If the filing fee or the search fee is not paid in due time, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
・締約国の指定に関して、欧州出願の出願時においては、全締約国を指定したものと見なされる（ＥＰＣ７９条（１））。指定料は、欧州特許公報が欧州調査報告の公開に言及した日（←欧州調査報告が欧州特許公報の発行日（優先日から１８ヶ月）までに作成されない場合があり、この場合には欧州調査報告は別個に公開されるので、このような表現になっている）から６ヶ月までに支払わなければならない。つまり、この期間内に指定国を決定し、必要な分だけ指定料を支払えばよい。指定料が期間内に支払われない場合または締約国の全指定が取り下げられた場合には、欧州特許出願は取り下げられたものとみなされる（施行規則３９（１）（２））。
Article 79
(1) All the Contracting States party to this Convention at the time of filing of the European patent application shall be deemed to be designated in the request for grant of a European patent.
Rule 39
Designation fees
(1) The designation fee shall be paid within six months of the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the publication of the European search report.
(2) Where the designation fee is not paid in due time or the designations of all the Contracting States are withdrawn, the European patent application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
・審査請求は、欧州特許公報が欧州調査報告の発行に言及した日から６ヶ月以内に行なうことができる（施行規則７０(１)）。審査請求がされない場合、最終的に出願は取り下げられたものと見なされる（施行規則７０(３)）。
Rule 70
Request for examination
(1) The applicant may request examination of the European patent application up to six months after the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the publication of the European search report. The request may not be withdrawn.
(2) If the request for examination has been filed before the European search report has been transmitted to the applicant, the European Patent Office shall invite the applicant to indicate, within a period to be specified, whether he wishes to proceed further with the application, and shall give him the opportunity to comment on the search report and to amend, where appropriate, the description, claims and drawings.
(3) If the applicant fails to reply in due time to the invitation under paragraph 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
２．ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合の移行に必要な手続
・ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合には、優先日から３１ヶ月以内に以下の手続をとる必要がある（施行規則１５９（１））。
(a)国際出願の翻訳文の提出
(b)出願書類の特定
(c)出願手数料の支払い
(d)指定料の支払い（但し、施行規則３９に規定される期間（欧州特許公報が欧州調査報告の公開に言及した日から６ヶ月）が過ぎている場合）
(e)補助欧州調査報告の調査料の支払い
(f)審査請求の提出（但し、施行規則７０（１）に規定される期間（欧州特許公報が欧州調査報告の公開に言及した日から６ヶ月）が過ぎている場合）
(g)第３年分の更新料の支払い（但し、施行規則５１（１）に規定される日が過ぎている場合）
(h)博覧会の証明書（新規性喪失の例外適用を受ける場合）
Rule 159
The European Patent Office as a designated or elected Office - Requirements for entry into the European phase
(1) In respect of an international application under Article 153, the applicant shall perform the following acts within thirty-one months from the date of filing of the application or, if priority has been claimed, from the priority date:
(a) supply, where applicable, the translation of the international application required under Article 153, paragraph 4;
(b) specify the application documents, as originally filed or as amended, on which the European grant procedure is to be based;
(c) pay the filing fee provided for in Article 78, paragraph 2;
(d) pay the designation fee if the period under Rule 39 has expired earlier;
(e) pay the search fee, where a supplementary European search report has to be drawn up;
(f) file the request for examination provided for in Article 94, if the period under Rule 70, paragraph 1, has expired earlier;
(g) pay the renewal fee in respect of the third year provided for in Article 86, paragraph 1, if the fee has fallen due earlier under Rule 51, paragraph 1;
(h) file, where applicable, the certificate of exhibition referred to in Article 55, paragraph 2, and Rule 25.
(2) The Examining Division shall be competent to take decisions of the European Patent Office under Article 25, paragraph 2(a) PCT.
・優先権書類の写しが国際事務局から欧州特許庁へ送付されるので（ＰＣＴ規則１７．２（ａ））、優先権書類の欧州特許庁への提出は不要である。
１７．２ 写しの入手の可能性
（ａ） 出願人が１７．１（ａ）、又は（ｂ）又は（ｂの２）の要件を満たす場合には、国際事務局は、指定官庁の明示の要請に応じて、国際出願の国際公開の後速やかに、優先権書類の写しを当該指定官庁に提供する。指定官庁は、出願人に対しては優先権書類の写しの提出を要求しない。出願人は、翻訳文を第二十二条に規定する当該期間の満了前に指定官庁に提出することを要求されることはない。出願人が国際出願の国際公開前に指定官庁に対し第二十三条（２）の規定に基づく明示の請求を行った場合には、国際事務局は、指定官庁の明示の要請に応じて、優先権書類の写しの受理後速やかに当該写しを当該指定官庁に提供する。
３．２つの出願ルートによる欧州特許出願の手続の相違点
上記２つの手続で最も異なるのは、審査請求の時期である。欧州特許庁に直接出願した場合には、欧州特許公報が欧州調査報告の発行に言及した日から６ヶ月以内に審査請求が可能であり、欧州調査報告の発行後でも審査請求をすることができる。このため、欧州調査報告の内容を検討してから審査請求の要否を決めることができる。一方、ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合には、原則として国内移行時、つまり補助欧州調査報告の発行前に審査請求する必要があるので、通常、補助欧州調査報告の内容を検討してから審査請求の要否を決めることはできない。また、欧州特許庁に直接出願した場合には、基礎となる日本出願に内容を追加して欧州特許出願をすることができるが、ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合、提出すべき翻訳文は国際出願の翻訳文であるので内容の追加はできない。
椿特許事務所
弁理士ＩＴ
欧州への特許出願には、大きく分けて以下の３つのルートが存在する。
①欧州特許協力条約（ＥＰＣ）に基づいて欧州特許庁に直接出願するルート
②ＰＣＴ（特許協力条約）による特許出願でＥＰＣを指定するルート（ＰＣＴルート）
③所望の国へ直接国内出願をするルート
これらのルートのうち利用する機会の多い、①欧州特許庁に直接出願するルートと、②ＰＣＴルートとの手続を比較してまとめた。
１．欧州特許庁に直接出願するルートの手続
・欧州特許庁に直接出願するルートの場合、出願は以下のものを含んでいる必要がある（ＥＰＣ７８条（１））
(a)欧州特許を求める願書
(b)発明の説明
(c)１つ以上のクレーム
(d)明細書またはクレームで言及した図面
(e)要約
Article 78
Requirements of a European patent application
(1) A European patent application shall contain:
(a) a request for the grant of a European patent;
(b) a description of the invention;
(c) one or more claims;
(d) any drawings referred to in the description or the claims;
(e) an abstract
and satisfy the requirements laid down in the Implementing Regulations.
・日本出願を基礎とする場合、最先の優先日から１６ヶ月以内（好ましくは欧州出願時）に、優先権を主張する必要がある（施行規則５２（１）（２））。
Rule 52
Declaration of priority
(1) The declaration of priority referred to in Article 88, paragraph 1, shall indicate the date of the previous filing, the State party to the Paris Convention or Member of the World Trade Organization in or for which it was made and the file number. In the case referred to in Article 87, paragraph 5, the first sentence shall apply mutatis mutandis.
(2) The declaration of priority shall preferably be made on filing the European patent application. It may still be made within sixteen months from the earliest priority date claimed.
・優先権の主張には、基礎となる出願の日付、出願国および出願番号の表示が必要である（施行規則５２（１））。日本出願を基礎とする場合、優先権証明書およびその翻訳文の提出は不要である。但し、優先権主張の有効性が発明の特許性に関係する場合には、基礎となる出願の翻訳文の提出を求められる場合がある（施行規則５３（１）～（３））。
Rule 53
Priority documents
(1) An applicant claiming priority shall file a copy of the previous application within sixteen months of the earliest priority date claimed. This copy and the date of filing of the previous application shall be certified as correct by the authority with which that application was filed.
(2) The copy of the previous application shall be deemed to be duly filed if a copy of that application available to the European Patent Office is to be included in the file of the European patent application under the conditions determined by the President of the European Patent Office.
(3) Where the previous application is not in an official language of the European Patent Office and the validity of the priority claim is relevant to the determination of the patentability of the invention concerned, the European Patent Office shall invite the applicant for or proprietor of the European patent to file a translation of that application into one of the official languages within a period to be specified. Alternatively, a declaration may be submitted that the European patent application is a complete translation of the previous application. Paragraph 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
・出願料および欧州調査の調査料は、出願日から１ヶ月以内に支払わなければならない。支払われない場合、出願は取り下げられたものと見なされる（ＥＰＣ７８条（２））。
Article 78
(2) A European patent application shall be subject to the payment of the filing fee and the search fee. If the filing fee or the search fee is not paid in due time, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
・締約国の指定に関して、欧州出願の出願時においては、全締約国を指定したものと見なされる（ＥＰＣ７９条（１））。指定料は、欧州特許公報が欧州調査報告の公開に言及した日（←欧州調査報告が欧州特許公報の発行日（優先日から１８ヶ月）までに作成されない場合があり、この場合には欧州調査報告は別個に公開されるので、このような表現になっている）から６ヶ月までに支払わなければならない。つまり、この期間内に指定国を決定し、必要な分だけ指定料を支払えばよい。指定料が期間内に支払われない場合または締約国の全指定が取り下げられた場合には、欧州特許出願は取り下げられたものとみなされる（施行規則３９（１）（２））。
Article 79
(1) All the Contracting States party to this Convention at the time of filing of the European patent application shall be deemed to be designated in the request for grant of a European patent.
Rule 39
Designation fees
(1) The designation fee shall be paid within six months of the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the publication of the European search report.
(2) Where the designation fee is not paid in due time or the designations of all the Contracting States are withdrawn, the European patent application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
・審査請求は、欧州特許公報が欧州調査報告の発行に言及した日から６ヶ月以内に行なうことができる（施行規則７０(１)）。審査請求がされない場合、最終的に出願は取り下げられたものと見なされる（施行規則７０(３)）。
Rule 70
Request for examination
(1) The applicant may request examination of the European patent application up to six months after the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the publication of the European search report. The request may not be withdrawn.
(2) If the request for examination has been filed before the European search report has been transmitted to the applicant, the European Patent Office shall invite the applicant to indicate, within a period to be specified, whether he wishes to proceed further with the application, and shall give him the opportunity to comment on the search report and to amend, where appropriate, the description, claims and drawings.
(3) If the applicant fails to reply in due time to the invitation under paragraph 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
２．ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合の移行に必要な手続
・ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合には、優先日から３１ヶ月以内に以下の手続をとる必要がある（施行規則１５９（１））。
(a)国際出願の翻訳文の提出
(b)出願書類の特定
(c)出願手数料の支払い
(d)指定料の支払い（但し、施行規則３９に規定される期間（欧州特許公報が欧州調査報告の公開に言及した日から６ヶ月）が過ぎている場合）
(e)補助欧州調査報告の調査料の支払い
(f)審査請求の提出（但し、施行規則７０（１）に規定される期間（欧州特許公報が欧州調査報告の公開に言及した日から６ヶ月）が過ぎている場合）
(g)第３年分の更新料の支払い（但し、施行規則５１（１）に規定される日が過ぎている場合）
(h)博覧会の証明書（新規性喪失の例外適用を受ける場合）
Rule 159
The European Patent Office as a designated or elected Office - Requirements for entry into the European phase
(1) In respect of an international application under Article 153, the applicant shall perform the following acts within thirty-one months from the date of filing of the application or, if priority has been claimed, from the priority date:
(a) supply, where applicable, the translation of the international application required under Article 153, paragraph 4;
(b) specify the application documents, as originally filed or as amended, on which the European grant procedure is to be based;
(c) pay the filing fee provided for in Article 78, paragraph 2;
(d) pay the designation fee if the period under Rule 39 has expired earlier;
(e) pay the search fee, where a supplementary European search report has to be drawn up;
(f) file the request for examination provided for in Article 94, if the period under Rule 70, paragraph 1, has expired earlier;
(g) pay the renewal fee in respect of the third year provided for in Article 86, paragraph 1, if the fee has fallen due earlier under Rule 51, paragraph 1;
(h) file, where applicable, the certificate of exhibition referred to in Article 55, paragraph 2, and Rule 25.
(2) The Examining Division shall be competent to take decisions of the European Patent Office under Article 25, paragraph 2(a) PCT.
・優先権書類の写しが国際事務局から欧州特許庁へ送付されるので（ＰＣＴ規則１７．２（ａ））、優先権書類の欧州特許庁への提出は不要である。
１７．２ 写しの入手の可能性
（ａ） 出願人が１７．１（ａ）、又は（ｂ）又は（ｂの２）の要件を満たす場合には、国際事務局は、指定官庁の明示の要請に応じて、国際出願の国際公開の後速やかに、優先権書類の写しを当該指定官庁に提供する。指定官庁は、出願人に対しては優先権書類の写しの提出を要求しない。出願人は、翻訳文を第二十二条に規定する当該期間の満了前に指定官庁に提出することを要求されることはない。出願人が国際出願の国際公開前に指定官庁に対し第二十三条（２）の規定に基づく明示の請求を行った場合には、国際事務局は、指定官庁の明示の要請に応じて、優先権書類の写しの受理後速やかに当該写しを当該指定官庁に提供する。
３．２つの出願ルートによる欧州特許出願の手続の相違点
上記２つの手続で最も異なるのは、審査請求の時期である。欧州特許庁に直接出願した場合には、欧州特許公報が欧州調査報告の発行に言及した日から６ヶ月以内に審査請求が可能であり、欧州調査報告の発行後でも審査請求をすることができる。このため、欧州調査報告の内容を検討してから審査請求の要否を決めることができる。一方、ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合には、原則として国内移行時、つまり補助欧州調査報告の発行前に審査請求する必要があるので、通常、補助欧州調査報告の内容を検討してから審査請求の要否を決めることはできない。また、欧州特許庁に直接出願した場合には、基礎となる日本出願に内容を追加して欧州特許出願をすることができるが、ＰＣＴ出願を欧州へ移行するルートの場合、提出すべき翻訳文は国際出願の翻訳文であるので内容の追加はできない。
椿特許事務所
弁理士ＩＴ
自発補正の制限に関するＥＰＣ規則改正 [欧州特許実務(EP practices)]
＜自発補正の制限に関するＥＰＣ規則改正＞
ＥＰ（European Patent）出願（欧州特許条約に基づく出願）において、自発補正可能な時期が制限されることとなりました。
規則改正前は、ＥＥＳＲを受領した後は、出願人は、クレーム等を自発補正することが可能であり、審査部からの１回目の通知に対する応答の際にも、クレーム等を自発補正することが可能でした。
規則改正後は、新たな規則１３７により、出願人は２０１０年４月１日以降、審査部からの１回目の通知に対する応答の際に自発補正を行うことができなくなります。
従って、ＥＥＳＲへの応答や、ＥＰＯ（欧州特許庁） が作成した国際調査報告に対する応答の際にのみ自発補正が可能となり、その後は審査部の同意なしに補正をすることはできなくなります（ＥＰＣ規則１３７）。
【関係条文】
Amended Rule 137
(1) Before receiving the European search report, the applicant may not amend the description, claims or drawings of a European patent application unless otherwise provided.
(2) Together with any comments, corrections or amendments made in response to communications by the European Patent Office under Rule 70a, paragraph 1 or 2, or Rule 161, paragraph 1, the applicant may amend the description, claims and drawings of his own volition.
(3) No further amendment may be made without the consent of the Examining Division.
(4) When filing any amendments referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3, the applicant shall identify them and indicate the basis for them in the application as filed. If the Examining Division notes a failure to meet either requirement, it may request the correction of this deficiency within a period of one month.
(5) Amended claims may not relate to unsearched subject-matter which does not combine with the originally claimed invention or group of inventions to form a single general inventive concept. Nor may they relate to subject-matter not searched in accordance with Rule 62a or Rule 63.
椿特許事務所
弁理士ＩＴ
ＥＰ（European Patent）出願（欧州特許条約に基づく出願）において、自発補正可能な時期が制限されることとなりました。
規則改正前は、ＥＥＳＲを受領した後は、出願人は、クレーム等を自発補正することが可能であり、審査部からの１回目の通知に対する応答の際にも、クレーム等を自発補正することが可能でした。
規則改正後は、新たな規則１３７により、出願人は２０１０年４月１日以降、審査部からの１回目の通知に対する応答の際に自発補正を行うことができなくなります。
従って、ＥＥＳＲへの応答や、ＥＰＯ（欧州特許庁） が作成した国際調査報告に対する応答の際にのみ自発補正が可能となり、その後は審査部の同意なしに補正をすることはできなくなります（ＥＰＣ規則１３７）。
【関係条文】
Amended Rule 137
(1) Before receiving the European search report, the applicant may not amend the description, claims or drawings of a European patent application unless otherwise provided.
(2) Together with any comments, corrections or amendments made in response to communications by the European Patent Office under Rule 70a, paragraph 1 or 2, or Rule 161, paragraph 1, the applicant may amend the description, claims and drawings of his own volition.
(3) No further amendment may be made without the consent of the Examining Division.
(4) When filing any amendments referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3, the applicant shall identify them and indicate the basis for them in the application as filed. If the Examining Division notes a failure to meet either requirement, it may request the correction of this deficiency within a period of one month.
(5) Amended claims may not relate to unsearched subject-matter which does not combine with the originally claimed invention or group of inventions to form a single general inventive concept. Nor may they relate to subject-matter not searched in accordance with Rule 62a or Rule 63.
椿特許事務所
弁理士ＩＴ
拡張された欧州調査報告（ＥＥＳＲ）への応答義務 [欧州特許実務(EP practices)]
＜ＥＥＳＲ（Extended European Search Report）に対する応答に関するＥＰＣ規則改正＞
ＥＰ（European Patent）出願（欧州特許条約に基づく出願）において、拡張された欧州調査報告（ＥＥＳＲ）への応答が義務化されます。
規則改正前は、ＥＥＳＲへの応答は任意であり、応答しない場合には、ＥＥＳＲと同一内容の局指令が発行されていました。
規則改正後は、新たなＥＰＣ規則７０ａにより、出願人はＥＥＳＲで提起された異議に対し応答する必要があります。審査請求期限まで（欧州調査報告の送達前に審査請求がされている場合には、審査続行の意思表示期限まで）に応答しない場合には、出願は取下げたものとみなされます。
しかし、ＥＥＳＲへの応答期間を徒過した場合の救済策もあるようです。ＥＥＳＲへの応答期間は、ユーロＰＣＴ（ＰＣＴ出願経由のヨーロッパ出願）では、ヨーロッパ特許庁によって指定された期間（通常４ヶ月）であり、ＥＰへ直接した出願では６ヶ月です。
ＥＰＣ規則７０ａは、２０１０年４月１０日以降に作成されたＥＥＳＲに関する全ての出願に適用されます。
【関係条文】
New Rule 70a
Response to the extended European search report
(1) In the opinion accompanying the European search report the European Patent Office shall give the applicant the opportunity to comment on the extended European search report and, where appropriate, invite him to correct any deficiencies noted in the opinion accompanying the European search report and to amend the description, claims and drawings within the period referred to in Rule 70, paragraph 1.
(2) In the case referred to in Rule 70, paragraph 2, or if a supplementary European search report is drawn up on a Euro-PCT-application, the European Patent Office shall give the applicant the opportunity to comment on the extended European search report and, where appropriate, invite him to correct any deficiencies noted in the opinion accompanying the European search report and to amend the description, claims and drawings within the period specified for indicating whether he wishes to proceed further with the application.
(3) If the applicant neither complies with nor comments on an invitation in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
椿特許事務所
弁理士ＩＴ
ＥＰ（European Patent）出願（欧州特許条約に基づく出願）において、拡張された欧州調査報告（ＥＥＳＲ）への応答が義務化されます。
規則改正前は、ＥＥＳＲへの応答は任意であり、応答しない場合には、ＥＥＳＲと同一内容の局指令が発行されていました。
規則改正後は、新たなＥＰＣ規則７０ａにより、出願人はＥＥＳＲで提起された異議に対し応答する必要があります。審査請求期限まで（欧州調査報告の送達前に審査請求がされている場合には、審査続行の意思表示期限まで）に応答しない場合には、出願は取下げたものとみなされます。
しかし、ＥＥＳＲへの応答期間を徒過した場合の救済策もあるようです。ＥＥＳＲへの応答期間は、ユーロＰＣＴ（ＰＣＴ出願経由のヨーロッパ出願）では、ヨーロッパ特許庁によって指定された期間（通常４ヶ月）であり、ＥＰへ直接した出願では６ヶ月です。
ＥＰＣ規則７０ａは、２０１０年４月１０日以降に作成されたＥＥＳＲに関する全ての出願に適用されます。
【関係条文】
New Rule 70a
Response to the extended European search report
(1) In the opinion accompanying the European search report the European Patent Office shall give the applicant the opportunity to comment on the extended European search report and, where appropriate, invite him to correct any deficiencies noted in the opinion accompanying the European search report and to amend the description, claims and drawings within the period referred to in Rule 70, paragraph 1.
(2) In the case referred to in Rule 70, paragraph 2, or if a supplementary European search report is drawn up on a Euro-PCT-application, the European Patent Office shall give the applicant the opportunity to comment on the extended European search report and, where appropriate, invite him to correct any deficiencies noted in the opinion accompanying the European search report and to amend the description, claims and drawings within the period specified for indicating whether he wishes to proceed further with the application.
(3) If the applicant neither complies with nor comments on an invitation in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
椿特許事務所
弁理士ＩＴ
