The revised Rules of Procedure for the Boards of Appeal at the European Union Intellectual Property Office

4 / 3 / 2024

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has recently revised its Rules of Procedure for its Boards of Appeal (BoA RoP), which take effect on March 1, 2024.

The amendments primarily involve aligning terminology with current regulations and providing clearer delineation of responsibilities among various entities within the Boards of Appeal. Significant changes encompass the calculation and extension of time limits, suspension procedures, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

The revisions were developed through a structured dialogue with both internal and external stakeholders and aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and overall service quality provided by the BoA.

The updated Rules are currently available online in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. A version highlighting substantive changes is also available online for reference.

As a brief reminder, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) focuses on granting protection for trademarks and designs throughout the European Union (EU), while the European Patent Office (EPO) grants patents valid in designated European member states, which may not necessarily cover the entire EU.

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