The book Visser’s Annotated European Patent Convention is a commentary on the European Patent Convention and a bestseller in European patent law. Each year a new, updated edition of the book is published and available in paperback form.

The 2018 edition of this preeminent work – the only regularly updated authoritative article-by-article commentary in English on the European Patent Convention (EPC), its implementing regulations, and associated case law – provides the complete text of the 2000 Convention annotated with commentary and expert guidance on the interpretation of each paragraph. Since its first edition in 1994 it has provided the European patent community with the necessary insights to practice successfully before the European Patent Office. The EPO recommends the Visser’s Annotated European Patent Convention as the first book in its list of non-EPO/WIPO literature to be used for the preparation of the European qualifying examination.

In addition to a thorough updating of developments, new material in this edition includes the following:

• Important amendments in the latest edition of the Guidelines that entered into force 1 November 2018;

• Announced amendments of the law that enter into force after 15 November 2018;

• A new decision of the Enlarged Board of Appeal on partial priority;

• The changed structure of the Boards of Appeal and the effect on their perceived independence.