Richard Mair, CIPA President, welcomed the news saying:
The experience of our members has largely been that EPO proceedings of all kinds are very well-suited to videoconference.
“Not only that, but we have also found that it can dramatically improve accessibility and deliver better results, more speedily, and at a lower cost for everyone.
“In-conference functions such as screen sharing and simultaneous side channels for communications have shown that the technology has come of age and in most respects now provides a real and improved alternative to in-person hearings.”
The EPO said it was increasing the use of videoconferencing in order to reduce the backlog of unresolved opposition hearings and to mitigate the spread of coronavirus to ensure the safety of staff.
Read the full announcement on the EPO website.
Date published: 13 November 2020
