The EPO has issued a Notice confirming it will accelerate Opposition proceedings if there are parallel infringement or revocation proceedings before the Unified Patent Court or a national court or competent authority of a contracting state. Previously, only parallel infringement actions would trigger such an acceleration. The EPO has confirmed it will accelerate of its own accord if informed by the UPC or a national court or competent authority of the parallel action. Otherwise, a party to the parallel opposition proceedings may request accelerated processing at any time. >
The Opposition Division will make every effort to issue the next procedural action (e.g. communication, summons to oral proceedings) within three months of receipt of such information or the party's request. If the information or request is received before the patent proprietor's response to the notice of opposition, the opposition division will make every effort to issue the next procedural action within three months of receipt of the latter. If applicable, Oral Proceedings will be (re)scheduled to take place at the earliest possible date.
The full text of the Notice can be viewed here
