Ignacio Lobato: PCT & UP Handbook, Gebunden

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A structured guide and reference book for EQE and EPAC

For candidates preparing for the European Qualifying Examination (EQE) or the European Patent Administration Certification (EPAC), mastering the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the Unitary Patent (UP) system is essential. Success in the legal parts of the exam requires not only knowing the legal texts, but also being able to identify the relevant rule quickly, understand the procedural consequences and apply the correct remedy under time pressure.

The PCT & UP Handbook provides a clear, structured and exam-oriented presentation of the PCT international phase, national and regional phase entry, Euro-PCT procedure before the EPO, and the legal framework of the Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court. It is designed as a practical working tool for systematic study, targeted revision and fast consultation during the exam. The second edition has been comprehensively revised, expanded and reorganised to improve clarity, usability and learning flow. The book brings together PCT and UP legal provisions, procedural mechanisms, relevant guidance, EPO and WIPO practice, fee rules, time-limit calculations and typical exam constellations in a concise bullet-point format. It is particularly useful for candidates preparing for the legal components of the modular EQE, including Modules F, M2 and M4, as well as for EPAC candidates who need a reliable and accessible legal reference.

The Unitary Patent Guidelines, the Guidelines for Search and Examination at the EPO as PCT Authority, and the PCT Applicant's Guide: International Phase and National Phase, each in its April 2026 edition, are fully incorporated throughout the PCT & UP Handbook. As a result, the book does not merely summarise the PCT and UP legal framework, but also reflects the relevant practical guidance, procedural practice and typical legal issues tested in the exam.

Key benefits

• Concise and exam-oriented: The content is presented in short, focused bullet points instead of lengthy commentary. The aim is to help candidates understand, remember and apply the decisive legal points quickly.
• Structured for exam use: The handbook is built around recurring EQE issues, past-paper patterns and typical candidate difficulties. It helps candidates recognise legal situations, identify the correct legal basis and formulate answers efficiently.
• Colour-coded for fast navigation: Legal bases, time limits, examples and cross-references are visually highlighted, making the book suitable for quick orientation during preparation and under exam conditions.
• Practice-focused and procedural: The book includes examples, tables, overviews, fee information, time-limit calculations and structured explanations covering the PCT international phase, national and regional phase entry, Euro-PCT procedure, the Unitary Patent system and UPC-related topics.
• Integrated PCT and UP coverage: The book links international PCT procedure with European phase entry and the Unitary Patent system, helping candidates understand the broader procedural picture and the interaction between the different legal frameworks.
• Up to date for EQE 2027 and EPAC: The content reflects the relevant PCT, Euro-PCT and Unitary Patent legal and procedural framework for candidates preparing under the new exam formats.

Together with the EPC Handbook , the PCT & UP Handbook provides candidates with a comprehensive and exam-ready legal reference for EPC, PCT and Unitary Patent law. The two volumes are designed to turn complex procedural law into a structured, accessible and reliable tool for exam preparation and quick consultation.

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