/review-epo-formalities

description: Check patent application formalities for EPO compliance (Rules 42-49 EPC, EPO Guidelines Part A)
argument-hint: "[optional: description | claims | abstract | drawings | all] application-text"
allowed-tools:
  - check_epo_formalities
  - search_patent_law
  - search_mpep
model: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929

EPO Formalities Check

Verify all formal requirements for a European patent application under EPC Rules 42-49.

**Check Type:** $ARGUMENTS

What I'll Check

1. **Description** (Rule 42 EPC) - Required sections, disclosure sufficiency, unity 2. **Claims** (Rule 43 EPC) - Two-part form, numbering, fees for excess claims 3. **Abstract** (Rule 47 EPC) - Max 150 words, single figure designation, content 4. **Drawings** (Rule 46 EPC) - Technical quality, reference signs, margins 5. **Request for Grant** (Rule 41 EPC) - Form 1001, designation of states, priorities 6. **Translation Requirements** - Language of proceedings (Rule 6 EPC) 7. **Fees** - Filing fee, search fee, designation fee, claims fee (> 15 claims)

Specified check type focuses on that requirement; otherwise checks everything.

Process

1. Ask for application sections (or read from file) 2. Check each EPO formality requirement 3. Search EPC rules and EPO Guidelines for standards 4. Generate compliance report with:

• Requirements checklist per rule
• Non-compliance issues
• Fix instructions with rule citations
• Pre-filing checklist for EPO

EPO-Specific Requirements

Description (Rule 42 EPC)

Required sections in order:

• Title of the invention
• Technical field
• Background art (with citation of prior art documents)
• Disclosure of the invention (technical problem and solution)
• Brief description of drawings (if any)
• Detailed description of at least one embodiment
• Industrial applicability (if not obvious)

Claims (Rule 43 EPC)

• Two-part form for independent claims (preamble + "characterised in that")
• Clear reference to description and drawings
• No drawings or graphs in claims
• Numbered consecutively in Arabic numerals
• Fee applies for each claim beyond 15 (Rule 45 EPC)
• Fee applies for each claim beyond 50

Abstract (Rule 47 EPC)

• Maximum 150 words
• Must indicate technical field
• Must include concise summary of disclosure
• Must designate most illustrative figure (if drawings exist)
• No commercial statements
• Single paragraph preferred

Drawings (Rule 46 EPC)

• Minimum margins: top 2.5cm, left 2.5cm, right 1.5cm, bottom 1cm
• No text in drawings (except single words like "water", "steam")
• Reference signs in description must match drawings
• Figures numbered consecutively (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, ...)
• A4 paper size (21cm x 29.7cm)
• Black, sufficiently dense lines

Request for Grant (Rule 41 EPC)

• EPO Form 1001
• Applicant details (name, address, nationality)
• Title of invention
• Designation of Contracting States (all states designated by default)
• Priority claims (convention priority within 12 months)
• Inventor designation
• Representative details (if applicable)

Report Structure

EPO FORMALITIES COMPLIANCE REPORT
===================================

Application: [Title]
Date: [Date]
Filing Route: Direct EP / Euro-PCT

Summary:
--------
- Requirements Checked: 42
- Compliant: 35
- Non-Compliant: 5
- Warnings: 2

STATUS: CORRECTIONS NEEDED BEFORE FILING

DESCRIPTION (Rule 42 EPC):
============================

[PASS] Title present and descriptive
[PASS] Technical field identified
[FAIL] Background art section missing prior art citations
  -> Rule 42(1)(b): "indicate the background art which,
     as far as known to the applicant, can be regarded as
     useful to understand the invention"
  -> Fix: Add at least 2-3 prior art document citations
[PASS] Problem-solution format used
[PASS] At least one embodiment described in detail
[WARN] Industrial applicability not explicitly stated
  -> Rule 42(1)(f): Required if not obvious from description

CLAIMS (Rule 43 EPC):
======================

[PASS] Claims numbered consecutively
[FAIL] Independent claim 1 not in two-part form
  -> Rule 43(1): "shall contain a statement indicating the
     designation of the subject-matter, a statement of features
     which are necessary for the definition... and a characterising
     portion preceded by 'characterised in that'"
  -> Fix: Restructure with preamble + characterised in that
[PASS] Dependent claims properly reference parent claims
[PASS] 15 or fewer claims (no excess claims fee)
[PASS] No drawings or graphs in claims

ABSTRACT (Rule 47 EPC):
=========================

[PASS] Word count: 127 (max 150)
[FAIL] No figure designated as most illustrative
  -> Rule 47(2)(b): "shall indicate the figure of the drawings
     which should accompany the abstract"
  -> Fix: Add "Figure to accompany abstract: Fig. 1"
[PASS] Technical field indicated
[PASS] No commercial statements

DRAWINGS (Rule 46 EPC):
=========================

[PASS] Margins within specification
[PASS] Reference signs consistent
[WARN] Fig. 3 contains text label "Processing Unit"
  -> Rule 46(2)(j): Drawings shall not contain text,
     except single words like "water", "steam"
  -> Fix: Replace text with reference number, add to description

REQUEST FOR GRANT (Rule 41 EPC):
==================================

[PASS] Applicant details complete
[PASS] Title matches description
[PASS] Priority claim within 12 months
[PASS] Inventor designation filed

FEES CALCULATION:
==================

Filing fee (online): EUR 135
Search fee: EUR 1,775
Designation fee: EUR 685 (all states)
Claims fee: EUR 0 (15 or fewer claims)
---
Total at filing: EUR 2,595

FILING CHECKLIST:
==================

[x] Form 1001 (Request for Grant)
[x] Description with all required sections
[x] Claims (numbered, proper form)
[ ] Abstract with designated figure (NEEDS FIX)
[x] Drawings (A4, proper margins)
[x] Priority document (if claiming priority)
[x] Power of attorney (if using representative)
[ ] Filing fee payment
[ ]