EPO opposition reforms: the changing face of central patent revocation

Changes in July to opposition practice at the European Patent Office (EPO), as well as the decision of the Administrative Council (AC) of the EPO to reform the boards of appeal, reflect a common theme—the need for greater efficiency at the EPO. These reforms have occurred at a time of speculation about how the possible co-existence of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) alongside the established EPO opposition procedure will affect decision-making surrounding attacks on the validity of European patents.