Earlier this year the EPO conducted a survey on users’ experience of Opposition Oral proceedings by videoconference. The results of the survey have now been made available and show 66% of users consider such format “good” or “very good”.
The biggest perceived advantage of VICO was reduced travel time. The biggest perceived disadvantage was difficulty to pick up on non-verbal communication.
The majority of respondents were based in the UK (38%) and Germany (30%). Responses were also received from other European states including Italy (7%), France (6%), Netherlands (4%), Denmark (3%) and Switzerland (3%).
Over 50% of respondents confirmed it is “very unlikely” they would attend Oral Proceedings by VICO if the other parties were physically attending.
The EPO press release can be found here
The full survey results can be found here
