As part of its ongoing digital transformation under Strategic Plan 2028, the European Patent Office (EPO) is pleased to announce two much-anticipated enhancements to its MyEPO services. This marks an important step towards the full rollout of the DOCX format in 2026 which will cover the entire digital patent granting process.
Both features, available as of 1 October 2025, have been developed in direct response to user feedback and reflect the Office’s commitment to creating efficient and user-centric digital tools that align with their needs and working practices:
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Filing colour or greyscale drawings (for all users)
Currently, colour drawings submitted to the EPO are processed into black and white. From 1 October 2025, the EPO will accept filings of colour or greyscale drawings if submitted via any of the EPO’s electronic filing tools. This feature will be available for all European patent applications filed as of 1 October and related subsequent electronic filings. As applicable, compliance with Article 123(2) or Article 76 EPC will be carefully checked. Detailed information has been provided in a Notice from the EPO in the September edition of the Official Journal. The new feature will not apply to international phase PCT applications.
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Separate PDF drawings with DOCX filings in OLF 2.0 (pilot users)
From 1 October, pilot users of DOCX filing in Online Filing 2.0 (OLF 2.0) will have the option to submit drawings as separate files in PDF format. This renders the need for embedding drawings into the single DOCX file unnecessary and will offer greater flexibility when drafting.
