EPO completes full digitization of patent documents

The EPO has announced that from October 1, 2024, patent documents cited in search and examination procedures under the EPC and PCT will be accessed via Espacenet instead of paper copies.

The EPO has saved six million pages of paper each year by providing users with a state-of-the-art tool that provides instant access to patent documents cited during the patent grant process. This is another important step in the EPO's drive to improve sustainability by going paperless, in line with its SP2028 strategic plan.

From 1 October, the EPO will make available in electronic format patent documents cited in EPO and PCT search and examination procedures and send them to MyEPO users by email. Users who still rely on paper mailings can still access patent documents cited in search reports, written opinions and international preliminary examination reports through Espacenet.