 |
| The current EPO online filing software, whose days are numbered... |
Both new systems, CMS and WFS, are accessed via the web. However, they differ in two main respects, at least
according to the respective Decisions of the President governing their use,
found here
and here.
- CMS requires an EPO smart card. Your current smart card will work, once it has been activated for use with CMS. WFS requires registration via the website, but no smart card, and relies on a secure http connection.
- CMS allows filing of a broader range of documents than WFS. The only documents excluded from filing with CMS are priority documents and documents relating to appeal proceedings or Enlarged Board review proceedings. WFS cannot be used for these documents or for filing documents in opposition, limitation or revocation proceedings, or for filing authorisations. Both systems can be used to file PCT applications and subsequent documents also.
Since you ask, the pilot testing suggested to this Kat at least that the CMS system is stable, easy to use, and a promising replacement for the existing software. (Merpel says, if only OHIM had taken time to check these basics before inflicting its web filing system on users last year... By the way, is OHIM's interface working 100% reliably for everyone yet?)
The ultimate goal of the EPO is to phase out the existing EPOline
filing software and replace it entirely with the web-based solutions of CMS and
WFS. As far as the IPKat is aware -- and he will be happy to correct this
information if it is outdated -- the plan is to release CMS version 2 in the
middle of 2015 and this will trigger a two-year countdown to withdrawing
support for the existing software.
 |
| Web-form filing system |
Since no launch would be complete without an accompanying press release, here’s what the EPO has to
say about the new services:
Continuing to improve the quality of services to its users by establishing a one-stop shop for applicants, the European Patent Office (EPO) today launched a new system for the online filing of patent applications.The launch marks a new and important step forward to reducing the amount of paper handling by increasing electronic communication between the applicant and the EPO. It opens the way to further minimising human interaction in administrative handling of patent applications with the aim of improving the quality of data used and services offered by the EPO and to enhancing the efficiency and timeliness of the procedure."The launch of the new online filing system version 1.8 today constitutes a further significant move on the way to modernising the EPO's IT services as agreed with our member states," said EPO President Benoît Battistelli (presenting the new system for the first time to users yesterday in Stockholm). . "Following on to the successful launch of the mailbox, the new system supports the overall strategy of the Office to equip the European patent system with the best possible IT environment in order to reduce administrative costs for applicants. It also helps to align the European and PCT procedures under the same tool," he added.Accessible through a browser interface, the new online filing system is web-based and does not require any installations or security updates by the user, which responds directly to a long-standing request of patent applicants. It fully supports patent applications filed both under the European Patent Convention and the Patent Cooperation Treaty, also including subsequently filed documents for both procedures. The new system includes two new online services: new online filing (CMS), which allows you to file applications in a Web-based application accessible from your browser; and web-form filing, which allows you to upload and submit Annex F-compliant PDF documents.The modernisation of the EPO's granting process is a pillar of the Office's "IT Roadmap" adopted in 2011. The introduction of new tools at the EPO became necessary as the current systems used in the process were reaching the end of their economic shelf live and needed to be replaced by a new generation of technologies which will also help to better align the European and PCT application procedures. The aim of the roadmap is to improve the EPO's services for its users, and minimise manual intervention for the benefit of a higher patent quality through better patent data and greater timeliness of the procedure. The new online filing system will be gradually enhanced with additional services over the coming months.
Two new ways to file at the EPO
Reviewed by David Brophy
on
Thursday, October 02, 2014
Rating:
Reviewed by David Brophy
on
Thursday, October 02, 2014
Rating:
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Posts
Will the new software include any of the national portals, allowing you to file UK applications, for example? Or will we be forced to use the UK web portal (which, given changes to who is running the UKIPO's website, will no doubt become about as easy as filling out a tax return).
ReplyDeleteWill it be possible to choose between the UK or the EPO as the PCT receiving office?
No doubt, as will all changes initiated by the EPO, they will have thought about everything like this well in advance.
from: http://www.nlo.nl/en/news/150/EPO-s-new-case-management-system-to-be-implemented-in-2015
ReplyDeleteNational patent offices in Europe will also benefit from this project, through plans to offer them the new online filing tool under the EPO's co-operation policy with its 38 member states.
No is not yet possible.
ReplyDeleteJust tried to access CMS and got this after logging in: CMS filing server failure.
ReplyDeleteError 404
You have received this error because of a possible problem with the CMS server.
Please try again later or contact EPO User Support for further assistance.
Phone number +31 70 3404500
E-mail address support@epo.org
Click here to access EPO Online Services.
ReplyDeleteNo - It doesn't allow you to file UK applications and the EPO is the only option it gives you as the PCT receiving office.
It will be a real headache if we are not able to file UK applications via CMS when they pull the plug on EPOline.
CMS still doesn't work with Mac OSX apparently, my card reader doesn't show up.
ReplyDeleteI have been on the CMS pilot for several months now. My biggest concern with CMS is that it is not possible to file EP or PCT applications with a national office as the filing office. This is a major issue for applicants in any Contracting State having national security provisions, such as the UK, which prevents them from filing a first application to an invention in any other office without having filed in the national office first or having obtained a foreign filing licence.
ReplyDeleteI have raised this issue with the EPO twice now, and their response was that they are happy to work with national offices on this, but it was up to them to implement it. They did not seem to fully appreciate that a lack of national office participation could really stifle uptake of the new service for any applicant whose technology could fall under such provisions (and I doubt a firm would want to put their clients at risk of this either), especially as it is not always obvious when an invention is going to raise a security flag. It seems to me that the EPO should be giving more assistance to the national offices to ensure it replaces all functionality (including filing EP/PCT applications via national offices, and for filing national applications) before the current online filing program is phased out.
I am therefore alarmed of the rumours that the current online filing program will be phased out over the next couple of years. If the national offices have not adapted their systems to CMS by then, I expect many applicants will be forced to go back to paper/fax filing.
@athurgood It works on a Virtual Machine on Mac OSX. Parallels and Windows 7.
ReplyDelete@Annonymous 2 October 15:12:00
Most Brits will have filed a UK priority application and will rarely file EP or PCT as a first filing. Its hardly a major issue.
I'm sure all will be possible within two years.
@Anonymous 2 October 2014 16:46 Not much point in promoting a more open, web based, HTML5/AJAX/fabnewframework UI if you still have to run a virtualized version of Windows OS just to get the PKI dynamic library support. Kind of defeats the object methinks.
ReplyDeleteSomeone predicted back in 2016 that this would all be sorted out in 2 years time...well, to give people an update on the French attempt to implement this, there have now been 5 or something iterations of the web application platform, at least two postponements of the implementation date, and now, since November 19th, 2018, the system is alleged to be fully operational.
ReplyDeleteApart from PCT applications which still have to be filed via the EPO eOLF software.
Oh, and any EP or PCT applications not in French...(French law provides for filing French patent applications in a language other than French for certain applicants having residence in countries with which France has filed a bilateral treaty), and of course the French PTO is obliged under the PCT to declare itself incompetent as RO and then transfer to WIPO any PCT applications not made in French. And yes, first filing of PCT applications in English has become a thing, but you've still got to adhere to the national security provisions.
When one tries to access the website procedures.inpi.fr, current versions of Firefox and Chrome now issue the user with an "INVALID CERTIFICATE" warning indicating that the security certificate has not been signed by a recognised issuing authority. The French PTO's take on this is to advise users of the system to allow an exception cookie in their browser to the invalid security certificate - I kid you not - if you do not confirm the exception (and keep it in your browsers security exception cache), then you can proceed no further.
Despite the obligation now to file online using "indexed" docx format content, the French PTO still insists on sending notifications of irregularity if by chance, you have paginated your pages at the bottom of the page, instead of at the the top, and if, woe betide you, you have separated the pagination for your description and claims into separate files. Unless this has changed very recently, i.e. with the latest implementation rolled out 4 days ago, the template provided by the PTO with which to draft one's application had no page number fields anywhere, so one was guaranteed to either (a) fail validation of the produced XML and therefore be incapable of filing, or (b) receive a later notification of irregularity pointing out one's mistake (sic) and requiring a corrected docx to be filed !
This system is now imposed on us whether we want it or not - and not only has it shown itself to be not up to the job, but it still doesn't provide for the whole range of filing options allowed by law. What I gather from talking to others is that content validation seems to be the most challenging and the most frequent stumbling block. Only as a last gasp alternative, i.e. when all else fails, is filing as PDF allowed (for the moment).