Subjects:

Intellectual Property Law, EU Law

The sixteenth edition of the Annotated European Patent Convention gives the complete text of the European Patent Convention 2000 and its implementing regulations. The notes provide a commentary on the text of the law and explain the interpretation of each paragraph of the law. The notes relate to the text of the EPC 2000 and are updated till 15 November 2008. Announced amendments of the law that enter into force up to 1 April 2009 have also been included.

Cross-references in the notes to articles and rules aim at giving an insight into the structure of the Convention. The provisions also contain references to the EPC 1973 to facilitate comparison of the old and new law. Numerous references to case law and the Guidelines allow the user to consult the source of the information contained in the notes and give a quick access to important case law. Transitional provisions from the EPC 1973 to the EPC 2000 are given where still relevant.

The book also contains a chapter on PCT, which gives an overview of the PCT procedure as in force on 15 November 2008, including the relations with the EPC. Announced amendments entering into force up to 1 April 2009 are indicated. The closing sections of the book consist of summaries of articles and rules of various law texts, intended for obtaining a quick grasp of essential elements of these laws, a Case Law Table and an Index.

Since changes in the law and its interpretation are marked in each edition, the book has proven to be a much used tool for keeping op to date with developments of the European Patent Convention.