On Aug. 29, EU EPO confirmed end of grace period for EPO smart card.
In line with Strategic Plan 2028, the EU EPO continues to enhance MyEPO services, aiming to provide a user-friendly, simplified and fully digital patent granting process driven by cutting-edge a range of technologies and the highest security standards.
Follows Apr. 2022 EU EPO reported milestone online tool development, see #135268.
Service Overview
Among measures so far is successful two-factor authentication (2FA) implementation, following which the EU EPO had stopped issuing new smart cards as of Dec. 31, 2023.
Unlike a variety of smart cards, which require physical possession and a compatible reader, 2FA allows all users to authenticate them from anywhere, using mobile devices.
This flexibility makes 2FA particularly beneficial for on-the-go access and remote work, ensuring the secure, easy and convenient use of the MyEPO services from any location.
The login process itself involves an additional layer of security, allowing MyEPO users to choose between phone, email, Google Authenticator or Okta Verify, for more security.
With 56% of users already adopting this method, 2FA is becoming increasingly popular.
An exception to non-issuance of smart cards was made for users filing with national offices that do not yet offer an alternative to the EPO smart card, and grace period allows users to request smart card renewals or replacements until end of Sep. 2024.
Unexpired smart cards will continue to provide access to EPO online services until Dec. 31, 2024 at 23.59 hrs CET, but as from Jan. 1, 2025, access via smart cards will no longer be supported, with all users needing to sign into the online services using 2FA.
Effectiveness
EU EPO reminds users this grace period is ending, and issuance of new smart cards, including renewals and replacements, will permanently cease Monday, Sep. 30, 2024.
