September 27, 2017 About the EUIPO

Four decisions of the Executive Director of EUIPO – Legislative Reform

The Executive Director of EUIPO has signed four new decisions related to the changes which will come into effect on 1 October 2017 as a result of the second wave of the Legislative Reform process. All decisions apply as and from the entry into force date, 1 October 2017:

  • Decision No EX-17-3 concerning the formal requirements of priority and seniority claims for EUTMs and IRs designating the EU setting out the requirements where information is available online, when documentation is required and rules on translations;
     
  • Decision No EX-17-5 concerning the formal requirements of priority claims for registered Community designs including the relaxation of requirements for a copy of earlier filing certificate;
     
  • Decision No EX-17-6 concerning technical specifications for annexes submitted on data carriers setting out the specific media accepted as data carriers, file formats and sizes, the treatment of incomplete or illegible annexes and the consequences of non-compliance;
     
  • Decision No EX-17-7 concerning methods of payment of fees and charges covering issues such as the priority of administrative charges over other fees, lack of funds, the minimum amount to open an account, ‘insignificant amounts’ for refunds, the misuse of accounts and payments by credit/debit cards and current accounts.

The new decisions were published on 26 September 2017 and can be consulted on the Office’s website.

These decisions are in addition to Decision no EX-17-4 concerning communications by electronic means (including important changes relating to fax communications) which also applies as and from 1 October 2017.

More information on the Legislative Reform process can be found here.