New EPO Information Disclosure Requirements Entering into Effect on January 1, 2011

According to the European Patent Convention's current Implementing Regulations, an inventor applying for a European patent may be invited by the European Patent Office ("EPO") to submit information on prior art that was taken into consideration in the examination of related national or regional patent applications. If the information is not provided in a timely fashion, the application will be deemed to have been withdrawn. These regulations have now been amended to make it compulsory to file a copy of the results of any search carried out in relation to the application or applications of which the European patent application claims priority. This requirement will enter into effect on January 1, 2011, and it will apply to European and international patent applications filed on or after that date.