New EPO Initiative: Electronic Priority Documents Fully Online

On May 23, 2025, the European Patent Office (EPO) issued a notice that users can now apply for and receive certified electronic EPO priority documents through MyEPO, realizing paperless operation of the entire process.

After applying through the MyEPO platform, the electronic priority document will be sent to the user's mailbox in the form of a substantive folder and a certified document in PDF format. The substantive folder includes:

• A PDF file with fax signature containing a certified copy of the specification, claims, drawings and abstract
• Sequence Listing in its original format

The certified PDF file contains:

• Application number and filing date
• Embedded electronic seal and timestamp ensures the document is officially issued by the EPO and can be verified using standard electronic signature viewing tools
• A cryptographic hash of the content of the priority patent application that has not been modified since it was published by the EPO

In addition, the January 2025 edition of the Official Journal contains specific technical specifications issued to support the EPO in validating the certified EPO electronic priority documents it receives from applicants, as well as relevant decisions and interpretative notices issued by the EPO President.

How electronic EPO priority documents complement WIPO's DAS service

• The launch of the certified electronic EPO priority document complements the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Digital Access Service (DAS). WIPO DAS allows participating patent offices to exchange priority documents directly, while certified electronic EPO priority documents allow applicants to use these certified documents directly when filing electronic applications with other patent offices, especially when WIPO DAS is not available.

The electronic priority document application service launched by the European Patent Office is undoubtedly an important progress in the digital patent process. Technological innovation is always striving to improve the efficiency of intellectual property management. This change will foreseeably promote the modernization of intellectual property industry standards worldwide. For Beijing Yezhima, maintaining a keen insight into this cutting-edge technology and applying it to practical services has always been our business goal.